CJ David Maraga feted for integrity, protecting Judiciary

Chief Justice David Maraga’s quest to uphold integrity and cushioning the Judiciary from political interference has earned him an award.

The CJ received the C B Madan Award at a ceremony at Strathmore University on Thursday.

He attributed his way of working to his strong Christian background.

“I am a Christian and I make no apologies about that. My life is guided by God’s value system and this prize today is a great testament for it,” said Justice Maraga after receiving the award.

The award ceremony is usually held in commemoration of celebrated Chief Justice Chunilal Bhagwandas Madan, popularly known as C.B Madan, who served for only one year in 1985 before retiring.

However, he had already served in the Judiciary for 25 years between 1961 and 1986 and as a practising lawyer for a similar number of years (1936-1961).

Former celebrated Chief Justice C B Madan. The C B Madan Award is given in his honour. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

C B MADAN

Prior to being appointed Chief Justice, Justice Madan was twice elected the chairman of the Law Society of Kenya before joining politics and later becoming an assistant minister, a Cabinet minister and judge of the High Court as well as the Court of Appeal.

He is remembered for sacking two corrupt judges and making efforts to restore integrity in the Judiciary as well as independence from political interference.

As for Justice Maraga, he was specifically recognised for presiding over two presidential election petitions.

“As the administrative head of the Judiciary, Justice Maraga has resisted executive and legislative attempts to subordinate the judicial branch to the political arms of government and thereby provided leadership at a critical moment in our legal history,” said lawyer Gitobu Imanyara.

ATTACKS

Mr Maraga, while speaking at the Kenya Magistrates and Judges Association annual general meeting in Nakuru Friday, noted that this year has recorded some of the worst attacks on judicial officers.

The CJ said that the security of judicial officers and their premises has to be taken seriously to protect the delivery of justice and the rule of law.

He added the Judiciary is engaging the National Police Service to designate more officers to it to prevent attacks as witnessed in the Nakuru and Kapsabet law courts where magistrates were assaulted by suspects.

He appealed to Kenyans to be defenders of the Judiciary during times when it is attacked for doing its work.

“The defence of Judiciary should come from literally every Kenyan since it guarantees democracy and enjoyment of fundamental rights. Our Constitution will be dead if those rights cannot be observed,” Mr Maraga said.

-nation.co.ke