This archive report was first published on 15 June 2020.
On June 14, 2020, Chief Justice David Maraga shared a video on his personal and Judiciary's social media accounts, exposing a vicious campaign to discredit him and the Judiciary.
The video, produced by an entity called Kenya Now, made sensational claims of corruption against several judges, including CJ Maraga, and even alleged a romantic relationship between the CJ and a Judicial Service Commission nominee.
Further, the video claimed that two judges received bribes from Ibrahim and Baktash Akasha, two brothers convicted of drug trafficking in the United States.
But CJ Maraga is not taking this lying down. In a public address, he demanded that President Uhuru Kenyatta end the stalemate over the appointment of 41 judges, and accused the Attorney-General of adopting a lackadaisical attitude towards the matter.
However, AG Paul Kihara Kariuki fired back, accusing the Chief Justice of playing to the gallery and repeating the Executive's claims that some of the nominees have integrity issues.
As the battle between the Judiciary and the Executive intensifies, several lawyers have come out in support of CJ Maraga and the Judiciary, condemning the video and attempt to intimidate judges.
“The targeted vilification of CJ David Maraga and Judges should be resisted, fought and remedied. The Executive must uphold the Constitution and obey Court orders,” said Law Society of Kenya President Nelson Havi.
