My advice to Amadi as she takes over the JSC position

By MAFTAH YUSUF

We have a new Registrar at the Judiciary by the sweet name of Anne Atieno Amadi. An accomplished African like Timbuktu who scored straight A’s in Literature remembers the name Amadi quite well.

I believe the book was The Concubine but something tells me that the job this nice lady has been handed will be no fairy tale. Actually, if we do not come clean and confess what we know about careers at the Judiciary, our very own Amadi might be given size 8 mateke from her plum posting in under one year.

There was Nancy Barasa who is quietly going about her teaching in a bid to forget the surgery  performed on her with a meat cleaver in spite the fact that a scalpel would have been quite effective.

And the recent case of Gladys Shollei who was an anathema to the powers that be at the Judiciary simply because her surname ‘Boss’ intimidated a few individuals and she had to be axed as well.

Hers was a case of the flavour of the end served at the beginning. Women at the Judiciary should be seen and not heard so she had better tread very carefully. Look at the case of Deputy CJ Kaplana Rawal who had a reputation of being tough as nails while serving on the bench as a judge, we refuse to believe that the deputy CJ got lost in the Judiciary maze since June last year when she was given the job. Or maybe our Deputy President of the Supreme Court understands fool rush in where angels fear to tread.

She has not been heard since. Madam Amadi borrow a leaf from Kaplana Rawal and keep mum or you will be digging your own grave if you become immodest and start running at the mouth. They do not like it and you do not want them to fall on you like a sack of hammers.

Another example of a Judiciary good girl is Justice of the Supreme Court Njoki Susanna Ndungu. We saw a glimpse of the gorgeous lady during the presidential petition and that was that. Architect of the Sexual Offences Act 2006 that made rapists wish they were plying their trade in Timbuktu is quite quiet any way you look at it.  

If she swallowed her tongue or maybe is just keeping her position intact for the posterity of Kenyan women, she should be awarded a medal of the burning spear by President Kenyatta for outfoxing the malevolent spirits of the Judiciary.

So I almost forgot, we were doling out free advice to our new registrar.

See nor hear no evil

Madam Amadi, while at the Judiciary, you shall see nor hear no evil. You must sign all allowances the JSC places before you if you do not want to wake up one morning to find all locks in your offices replaced.

And when the CJ’s war council is in session, thou shalt not happen to interrupt them at any cost as they will be deliberating on important matters that affect the dispensation of justice in our country.

 For those whose minds require refreshing, the war Council is a ragtag outfit that helps our dear Chief Justice deal with all the hustles and bustles of a reformed Judicial institution. They are the brains behind strategy to kick in the teeth real and imagined enemies of the CJ and have a reputation of being quite ruthless.

So Madam, I can assure you that you do not want that team devising war strategy courtesy of your nosing around. Keep to your office free of all patronage as advised by the CJ during your swearing in.

Actually if you even dream that you were in the wrong place at the wrong time you better wake up and apologise to the war council.

We can do without a repeat of the drama that characterised the removal of your predecessor as we are busy as a country launching into the Sh320 billion Railway project.

Even if it emerges that wolves from the Judiciary in sheep skin were members of the commission that negotiated the commercial contracts that raised the cost of a kilometre of railway line so that they too could eat, say nothing.

Even though your job at the Judiciary is to fight corruption, turn a blind eye to the vice. Even if they inflate the price of mandazi in their numerous retreats from Sh5 to Sh800, just smile like a fool and append your signature where you are required.

Remember, cowards live long and prosperous lives while the brave meet early unfortunate deaths. Such are the facts of life. It is better to be wise and alive in a country such as ours than to be a hero.

You predecessor was christened the Darth Vader, a villain from Star Wars. You don’t want a codename like The Undertaker or Count Dracula’ whispered behind your back every time you pass down the corridor. Learn to lie low like an envelope.

Pursue harmless projects like a hustler’s jet for the Chief Justice and a Sh500 million house for the man.  Otherwise, consider early retirement in Timbuktu.