This archive report was first published on 13 December 2019.
On Jamhuri Day, a day meant to celebrate Kenya's independence, the relationship between the Judiciary and other arms of government was put to the test. The absence of Chief Justice David Maraga and other senior officials of the Judiciary at the celebrations at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi on Thursday raised eyebrows.
Maraga's seat remained empty at the front row of the dais, a spot normally occupied by the President, his Deputy, Speaker of the National Assembly, Senate House Majority Leader, and Chief of the Defense Forces. This was not the first time Maraga had skipped a state function, as he had hinted earlier that he would choose which functions to attend if he was not treated with dignity due to his office.
On November 4, 2019, Maraga had said in a televised address, "Unless I am treated with dignity due to my office, I will choose which of State functions to attend." This statement came after he was left to walk to the dais through a sidewalk during the Mashujaa Day celebrations in Mombasa, while other senior state officers were acknowledged by the Master of Ceremony.
Deputy President William Ruto, in his speech, began by mentioning Chief Justice Maraga as among the guests present at the State function, further highlighting the awkward situation.
