This archive report was first published on 4 November 2019.
Chief Justice David Maraga has been at the receiving end of government mistreatment, a situation he says is part of a plot to make the Judiciary a puppet.
Speaking to journalists on Monday at the Supreme Court, Maraga documented instances of disrespect and humiliation he and the Judiciary have been subjected to by other arms of the government.
He claims that the government's actions are aimed at undermining the independence of the Judiciary.
Maraga cited an instance where he was not recognized during Mashujaa Day celebrations, where he walked to the dais through a side walk without being acknowledged by the emcee.
He also revisited the issue of the 232 top-of-the-range vehicles which the Judiciary intends to buy at a cost of Sh11 million each, which he says is a wastage.
Maraga now wants the Judiciary estimates to be taken to parliament then the funds deposited direct in the Judiciary fund account as by the law.
He instructed the Chief Registrar not to take budget estimates to the Treasury from 2020, following a directive by Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yattani proposing drastic budgetary cuts on recurring and development budget of up to 50 per cent in the Judiciary.
However, the directive was stopped by the High Court after the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) sued the National Treasury and the Attorney General over the budget cuts.
Maraga also expressed his frustration over the fact that he is treated better in other countries than here at home.
He said, 'The CJ is not accorded the respect accorded to his office. Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries are cleared to enter in places before the Chief Justice. Unless I’m treated with the respect I deserve, I will choose state functions to attend.'
