Former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga on Friday, November 24, recalled two moments when he tried to call former President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i.
Speaking during a Judiciary event at the Supreme Court, Mutunga said that the incident where unknown people raided the Northlands farm made him attempt to call the former President.
According to him, the incident reminded him of the times he used to convince politicians on the importance of promoting the independence of the Judiciary.
In his speech, Mutunga stated that he had discussions with the former president and his deputy during his tenure reiterating the need to uphold the Judiciary’s independence.
“Whenever I interacted with the president and the deputy president, I used to tell them that if you think you can enslave the judiciary you can also be enslaved by those who come after you,” Mutunga stated.
“I tried to call him to remind him that we had that discussion that the judiciary is the place where the bewildered run to. That’s why it is called the temple of justice,” he stated.
Additionally, the former Chief Justice stated that he tried to call former CS Matiang’i after state operatives raided his home in violation of his right to privacy.
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To further buttress his message to politicians, Mutunga mentioned the case where former President Uhuru’s sons were targeted for possession of guns and forced to seek protection in the courts.
Maraga backs Mutunga on Judiciary Independence
His remarks were corroborated by former Chief Justice David Maraga who emphasized that an independent judiciary benefits the political class.
According to Maraga, an independent judiciary in most instances benefits politicians first before dispensing the benefits to the ordinary citizens.
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Maraga gave the example of continued lower allocation of funds to the Judiciary as one of the ways the government had been hindering fully attainment of independence in the arm of government.
“Independence of the judiciary is not for the judges, it is actually first and foremost for the politicians and of course the wananchi,” Maraga stated.
The duo was part of the guests invited for the Presentation of the State of the Judiciary and the Administration of Justice Annual Report (SOJAR).
Other leaders present in the event include Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu.
On her part, CJ Koome called for fair share of the government’s funds to ensure that the Judiciary is well-funded to run its activities.
