This archive report was first published on 12 December 2019.
On December 12, 2019, the relationship between the Judiciary and other arms of government took a turn for the worse when Chief Justice David Maraga and other senior judicial officers skipped the Jamhuri Day celebrations at the Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi.
The seat reserved for the Chief Justice remained vacant at the front row of the dais, a stark contrast to the presence of the President, his deputy, Speakers of the National Assembly and Senate, House Majority Leaders, and the Chief of Defence Forces.
Interestingly, Deputy President William Ruto mentioned Chief Justice David Maraga among the guests present during his speech, leaving it unclear whether he was aware of Maraga's absence.
Chief Justice Maraga had previously hinted at skipping State functions due to mistreatment and disrespect by the Executive arm of government.
As reported on November 4, 2019, Maraga stated, “Unless I am treated with dignity due to my office, I will choose which of State functions to attend.”
Maraga's decision to skip the celebrations comes after he was left to walk to the dais through a sidewalk during this year's Mashujaa Day celebrations in Mombasa, where the Master of Ceremony failed to acknowledge his arrival.
