High Court Judge George Odunga in a past court session. [Photo/Courtesy]
Chief Justice (CJ) David Maraga has declined Jubilee Party’s request to bar High Court Judge, George Odunga, from all political petition cases in the August 8 General Election.
In a letter by Party Secretary General, Raphael Tuju, Jubilee had made the request claiming that Justice Odunga is allied to ODM and related to Siaya Senator, James Orengo, and therefore conflict of interest.
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But in a bold move just a day after the request, the CJ has rejected the calls terming them ‘unwarranted attacks to Judges and judicial officers’ that should be condemned.
he also accused both Jubilee and opposition National Super Alliance (NASA) leaders of making demeaning remarks against officers belonging institutions that are supposed to be independent.
“The emerging culture of public lynching of Judges and judicial officers by the political class is against the rule of law and must be fearlessly resisted. The JSC wishes to assure them that it will remain steadfast in protecting their rights,” said CJ Maraga.
However, he insisted that JSC is ready to handle election petitions in polls.
“We would like to assure Kenyans that the Judiciary is prepared to handle all election-related disputes at all levels,” added the CJ.
President Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto in July cautioned the Judiciary not to aid the opposition to scuttle the election process, saying that the Judiciary was increasingly getting entangled in the attempts by NASA to delay the August polls.
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