Chief Justice David Maraga (Center), his deputy Justice Phiomena Mwilu, (Left) and Justice Jacktone Odunga during a court proceeding. President Uhuru has urged them to be mindful of their decisions. [Photo/Kenya Today]
President Uhuru Kenyatta has urged the judiciary to be mindful of the effects of its actions on the other arms of government and how it will affect the lives of ordinary Kenyans while exercising its mandate.
The President said any decision that negatively affects the desire for a better, prosperous life of the average Kenyan or their safety and well-being should be carefully interrogated before being undertaken.
President Kenyatta pointed out that the administration of justice should not be shrouded in intrigues that only the elite may understand, saying the citizenry as a whole should be fully engaged in it since judicial authority is a sovereign power of the people delegated to the courts through the Constitution.
“On this next matter, I speak from my experience as a politician. You ought to accept that criticism comes with the office. Whether in media, in the journals, in the public baraza – and these days, social media – Kenyans will have their say, and little enough of it will be flattering, or even sensible,” the President said.
“That's democracy, and I have learned that one does two things in response: first, simply grow a thick skin, second, consult,” he said.
President Kenyatta was speaking today at the Supreme Court in Nairobi where he witnessed the official release of the report on the state of Judiciary and administration of justice by Chief Justice David Maraga.
The President said all three arms of government have been given the mandate to serve Kenyans and thus need to work together to fulfill that mandate.
“We are all one government, serving one people and the national interests. We are independent but interdependent,” said the President.
The President further said he would work with Parliament to allocate additional funds to enable the judiciary to relocate Court of Appeal to another place so as to create a conducive environment for judicial officers to work effectively.