My Job Isn't for the Faint-Hearted, Chief Justice David Maraga Tells Critics

Chief Justice David Maraga has come out to defend his actions and those of the judiciary, which have received harsh criticism especially from the ruling party, Jubilee.

In what appeared to be a veiled response to last week's hard-hitting letter by Jubilee Party Secretary-General Raphael Tuju, Maraga said the Chief Justice job is “not for the faint hearted.”

In the letter addressed to the Chief Justice, Tuju accused Maraga of “almost burning the country,” when the Supreme Court invalidated President Kenyatta's August 8th,2017 victory citing irregularities and illegalities.

However, Maraga says he is required to provide servant leadership, like he did, and promised to continue working honestly and independently.

“From our recent past history, it is common knowledge that some of the disputes brought to our courts involve matters of great national importance; matters which, if not carefully and, in my view, prayerfully handled, can tip the balance of national security and plunge this country into chaos and total anarchy,” Mr Maraga told a leadership workshop at Kenyatta University.

He said all cases brought before the judiciary were adjudicated based on the law and the Constitution.

“For me it will not only be a travesty of justice but also a great betrayal of the trust the Kenyan people have bestowed upon me if I were to decide any case on considerations other than on the evidence presented before me and the applicable,” said the CJ.

In the letter, Tuju also accused Maraga and the Judiciary of bias, double standards, poor leadership and impunity.

“My Lord, with all due respect, may I state the following, not to provoke you but to submit that no powers can be absolute. Irresponsible actions from the Judiciary, Executive or Parliament can burn this country – and with due respect, you almost succeeded in burning the country after August 8 Elections,” Mr Tuju said in the 1,733-word letter.

However, Maraga further stated: “Leadership demands that the Chief Justice is one who is not faint-hearted, one who must be trusted by the citizenry and not one who preaches water and drinks wine."

He also hit out at corrupt leaders in public service, saying: “It is common knowledge that corruption is endemic in Kenya and something we should be ashamed of. Public resources are being plundered by leaders without as much as a thought to the poor who are in dire need."

The CJ was speaking during the opening of Being a Leader training workshop at Kenyatta University on Monday.