CJ Willy Mutunga promises special courts to deal with graft in Kenya

Chief Justice Willy Mutunga yesterday termed the corruption in the country as a “national disaster”.

Dr Mutunga, a fierce proponent of Judicial independence, was at State House with President Uhuru Kenyatta where he pledged to set up special courts to deal with corruption-related cases.

“The Constitution decrees that the three arms of Government are robustly independent. But the same Constitution also says there is interdependence. When the country faces a crisis, the three arms collapse into one... we are invoking the Constitution to make sure that we fight this national disaster,” he said.

Thorough vetting

To avoid situations where tainted magistrates and judges end up adjudicating in corruption cases, the Chief Justice said there will be a thorough vetting of those to handle the cases.

He added that a new High Court division on anti-corruption and tax fraud will also be activated to handle cases where public money is stolen in dubious deals.

Mutunga said the National Council of Administration of Justice (a task force for investigators, prosecutors and players in the Judiciary), was working to ensure the system is efficient and effective when dealing with those engaged in corruption.

“We have been caught up in a lot of blame-game. This is not the time for it. That chain of administration of justice will be properly oiled and we will identify leaks and plug them,” he said.