Maraga Appears At State House In Ruto's Presence [VIDEO]

He was in attendance during the swearing-in ceremony of the six judges at the premises, witnessed by Ruto.

Marvin Chege Marvin Chege
Sep 14, 2022 - 12:44 Updated: Sep 14, 2022 - 13:06
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Maraga Appears At State House In Ruto's Presence [VIDEO]
President William Ruto poses for a photo with Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu and CJ emeritus, David Maraga. /TWITTER

Former Chief Justice David Maraga appeared out of the blue to take a photo with President William Ruto at State House on Wednesday, September 14.

He was in attendance during the swearing-in ceremony of the six judges at the premises, witnessed by Ruto.

The emeritus CJ was asked to join President Ruto, his deputy Rigathi Gachahua, Chief Justice Martha Koome, Deputy CJ Philomena Mwilu and the new judges for a photo session.

"Could I also request the Chief Justice emeritus to join in that picture," the master of the ceremony, Korir Sing'oei, called to Maraga.

Speaking after the swearing-in exercise, Ruto asked the Judiciary to support his government in tackling corruption head-on.

He added that only by dealing with impunity properly, Kenya can become a nation respected because it upholds the rule of law.

"We have challenges in the time taken to conclude corruption and commercial cases, I request the Judiciary to support our administration in ensuring that corruption, commercial and land cases are adjudicated and concluded in a timely manner," Ruto spoke after the swearing-in.

"We must deal firmly and decisively with impunity. Kenya can only be better if we become a country of the rule of law. It is the rule of law not the rule of man."

He added that his government will respect the independence of the Judiciary, amongst other institutions, in a way that ensures that they deliver their mandates.

"My administration will respect the independence of the Judiciary and all the other institutions in a manner that makes them efficient to deliver on their respective mandates. We will promote dialogue between institutions and positive engagements," he said.

Ruto had appointed the six judges; four Court of Appeal judges and two Environment and Land Court judges, on Tuesday, September 13, on the same day he promised to do so during his inauguration speech that he would appoint them, among his first batch of orders.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by Article 166(1) of the Constitution of Kenya, I, William Samoei Ruto, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, appoint –Korir Weldon Kipyegon, Muchelule Aggrey Otsyula, Odunga George Vincent, Joel Mwaura Ngugi,” read part of the gazette notice signed by President Ruto appointing the appellate judges.

The Court of Appeal Judges appointed by Dr Ruto are Korir Weldon Kipyegon, Muchelule Aggrey Otsyula, Odunga George Vincent and Prof. Joel Mwaura Ngugi, Otsyula, Odunga George Vincent, Joel Mwaura Ngugi.

The two Environment and Land Court judges appointed by the new Head of State are Makori Evans Kiago and Cheruiyot Omange Judith Elizabeth.

Ruto's predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, had refused to appoint them, appointing 34 judges instead to the Appellate Court, igniting a tussle between the Executive and the Judiciary.

Court of Appeal and various Divisions of the High Court at State House, Nairobi for their Swearing-in Ceremony presided over by former President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday, June 4, 2021. /PSCU

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