This archive report was first published on 11 June 2021.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has weighed into the debate over President Uhuru Kenyatta's decision not to appoint six judges recommended by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). The move has been criticized by Retired Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, who wrote a letter to the Head of State expressing his disappointment.
Speaking during the funeral of former Assistant Minister and Kibwezi lawmaker Richard Kalembe Ndile, Raila questioned Mutunga's motives, saying he was ill-advised in his letter to the President.
Although Raila did not express his support or opposition to the decision to leave out the six judges, he wondered why Mutunga was crying foul when, in fact, as the head of judiciary, he did not mete out justice as required by the law.
Revisiting the petition that was launched by the opposition in the wake of a contested presidential election in 2013, Raila says Mutunga failed to live up to his oath of office.
“The same Mutunga is demanding justice yet he denied us justice when he served as the country’s Chief Justice. That is hypocrisy of the highest order,” Raila said.
At the same time, Raila maintained that the road to referendum under the Building Bridges Initiative is still on course even though the high court declared the process null and void.
