This archive report was first published on 1 July 2020.
On June 30, Mary Kwamboka Onyancha made headlines at the Milimani Law Courts, claiming that Chief Justice David Maraga is the father of her child. She alleged that they had an intimate relationship between 2013 and 2014, resulting in her conception, and that Maraga later disowned the child.
According to Kwamboka, Maraga owes her Sh161,000 monthly for the child's upkeep. However, Maraga's lawyers dismissed the suit as a smear campaign against the CJ by the deep state.
"Our client is the chief justice of this country. There has been intense pressure from every quarter for the CJ to go or resign or leave office before the end of the CJ's term which is coming to the end on January 12, 2021," said lawyer Danstan Omari.
But the Atheist community in Kenya has come to Maraga's defense, calling the accusations a witch hunt by his enemies. Harrison Mumia, a prominent figure in the community, stated, "While we cannot ascertain the truth of the matter at this point, the manner in which Ms Kwamboka accused the CJ reeks of witch-hunt by external forces."
Mumia also pointed out that since the historic Supreme Court ruling in 2017, there have been sustained efforts by the executive to frustrate the judiciary, including the recent president's failure to appoint the 41 judges recommended by the Judicial Service Commission.
by Kevin Koech
