This archive report was first published on 8 June 2020.
June 9, 2020 - Nairobi, Kenya
Chief Justice David Maraga has expressed deep frustration over President Uhuru Kenyatta's refusal to appoint 41 judges recommended by the Judicial Service Commission in July 2019.
Speaking at a news conference on Monday, Maraga stated that he has been unable to secure an appointment with the President to discuss the stalled appointments.
Maraga accused the Executive of disrespecting court orders, citing numerous instances in the recent past.
He specifically mentioned two cases where the President was ordered to swear in the judges within 14 days, but has persistently refused to do so.
According to Maraga, the President claims that the judges have integrity issues, but has failed to provide any evidence to support these claims.
Maraga challenged the Executive to provide the alleged information on the judges' integrity, stating that if the allegations are true, the judges should not be serving.
He lamented that the President's decision has led to a backlog of cases in court, with some cases not being heard until 2022.
Maraga also highlighted the shortage of judges in the Environment and Land Court, the Court of Appeal, and the Employment and Labor Relations Court, citing a caseload of 16,457, 7,315, and 13,197 respectively.
Maraga assured that his respect for the President remains unwavering, but urged him to uphold the Constitution and respect court orders.
