Kibaki lauds Supreme Court judges

By WAHOME THUKU

Kenya: President Kibaki has hailed Supreme Court for speedy determination of recent presidential election petitions.

Kibaki said the expeditious manner in which the court heard and determined the cases had reaffirmed Kenyans’ confidence in the Judiciary. It sent a clear message that through hard work and accountability, the case logs in the Judiciary could be dealt with, the President said.

“I congratulate you for handling all parties with utmost respect, adhering to constitutional timelines and for maintaining independence and professionalism. I’m certain that the confidence the people of Kenya placed on you has been affirmed,” he added.

Kibaki was speaking at Supreme Court, Nairobi where the Judiciary hosted him for a farewell luncheon.

Chief Justice Willy Mutunga hosted him for the luncheon, less than a week before he ushers in new Head of State Uhuru Kenyatta at an inauguration ceremony on Tuesday.

Keeping peace

Outgoing Justice minister Eugene Wamalwa, former Speaker Kenneth Marende, Attorney General Githu Muigai, judges, magistrates, senior lawyers and officials of the Law Society of Kenya, among other guests, attended the event.

In a brief speech, Kibaki asked other judges and Judiciary officers to emulate the Supreme Court in determining cases before them.

“I thank the Kenyan people for accepting the verdict and keeping peace. The ultimate winner was the people of Kenya,” Kibaki added. “I ask the rest of Judiciary to learn from the Supreme Court, whose members have set a high standard. He asked the incoming government to respect the separation of powers between the Judiciary and Executive. He also asked the Judiciary to support the new administration.

Chief Justice Mutunga thanked the President for respecting the independence of the Judiciary.

He recalled that when he took over as CJ in 2011, he was showed a red telephone head in his office, which only received exclusive calls from State House.

“The person who showed me the hotline also pointed at Kibaki photo and told me “hii simu ni ya mwenyewe (this line has its owner),” he said. “For all the months I have been in office, am happy to report that the hotline never rung. I congratulate you for never calling the number regardless of how you felt about matters being dealt with in the Judiciary,” he added. He thanked Kibaki for supporting financial independence of the Judiciary and other reforms.

Mr Wamalwa said when history is written, historians will have a hard time saying which was Kibaki’s greatest legacy, whether infrastructure development, free education or constitutional reforms.

“If I was asked, promulgation of the Constitution and renewal of institutions was one of the greatest legacies,” he offered.

He recalled that it was during the Kibaki tenure that the Ministry of Justice and Constitution Affairs was re-established.

The AG said the Judiciary should deal with other election petitions the same way it determined the presidential petition.

“We are confident the Judiciary will not be found wanting in dealing with other petitions,” he added.

Prof Muigai said the Executive was keen to respect orders and rulings of all courts and asked politicians to do the same.