Kenyans now trust their courts, CJ Mutunga says

Chief Justice Willy Mutunga leaves the Supreme Court after the final hearing of the presidential election petition March 29, 2013. Photo/SALATON NJAU  NATION MEDIA GROUP

By ANTONY KARANJA in DALLAS, TEXAS
Posted  Wednesday, May 15  2013 at  13:48

Chief Justice Willy Mutunga has said that Kenyans now trust their judicial system after the unanimous ruling on the presidential petition.

Dr Mutunga said one of the biggest challenges he faced was getting Kenyans to trust that the system could deliver justice, rather than favouring rich individuals and big corporations.

During a meeting with Chief Judge of the State of New York Jonathan Lippman on Monday, Dr Mutunga cited Raila Odinga's acceptance of the ruling as a sign that the Kenyans now have faith in their courts.

However, a week after the Supreme Court decision to uphold the election of Uhuru Kenyatta as the fourth President of Kenya, Mr Odinga criticised the decision, terming it as unpopular and likening it to persecution of Jesus Christ.

“The decision is like the persecution of Jesus Christ that occurred more than 2000 years ago. But like Jesus, I am still alive,” he told a crowd in Kondele, Kisumu.

According to Dr Mutunga, the fact that there was no repeat of violence after the ruling means the judicial system has come of age.

“However, there is still work to be done in changing the rough edges of the judicial culture in Kenya.” Mutunga said.

He added that corruption that was widespread in the courts now has no place during his tenure and reforms will be linked to successful judicial systems in countries such as India, South Africa and Colombia.

The meeting with Judge Lippman focused on exchange of ideas about judicial transparency and accountability in seeking to modernise Kenya's courts.