David Maraga: Things you probably didn’t know about him

From annulling a presidential election to massive experience in the corridors of justice, SDA staunch CJ David Kenani Maraga, 64, who hails from Nyamira, has been loved and hated by political leaders thanks to his stand on the recent political events.

Here are a few things you probably didn't know about CJ Maraga.

CJ Maraga became the first Chief Justice and Fourth in the world to annul a presidential election, thanks to breach of laws governing the elections.

CJ Maraga threw the Jubilee administration in limbo on September 1, 2017 after he annulled the August 8 polls, citing massive irregularities in results transmission by the IEBC. He ordered fresh polls in 60 days, whose outcome he agreed with.

He chairs the Judiciary Committee on Elections tasked with overseeing election petition hearings that may arise after the 2017 elections within the prescribed period in the constitution.

He successfully underwent the vetting board fending off accusations of tribalism and bribery seeking and was unanimously endorsed to continue to serve in 2012.

An avowed Seventh Day Adventist, he startled the board proceedings when he invoked God’s name loudly and went on to swear that he had never taken a bribe in his life.

CJ Maraga shocked MPs in parliament late October 2016 during the interview for the position he holds when he swore with the Bible that he had never taken a bribe and had no plans to give bribe in exchange for a service in Kenya.

Many Judicial officers in Kenya, however, have been accused of bribery. For example, former Supreme Court judge Phillip Tunoi of having taken a bribe worth Sh220 million from former Nairobi Governor Dr Evans Kidero.

Justice Maraga is 64 years old. The Chief Justice position has an age limit of 70, meaning he will only serve one term and the commission will have to again interview applicants for his replacement.

His one term at the helm of the judiciary, if approved, will match his predecessor Willy Mutunga who resigned before reaching 70 years

Justice Maraga will be the 14th person to hold the office of the Chief Justice in post-independence Kenya. He will however be the second person to hold the office under the new constitution.

During his interview on August 31, Justice Maraga was categorical that he would not work on Saturday in line with his Sabbath Day Adventist faith. He said he cannot compromise church for work.

Justice Maraga once presented a report to President Uhuru Kenyatta recommending for the removal of Judge Mutava for misconduct. This was after the tribunal he headed concluded its hearings and produced a full report.

Justice Maraga says he used to apologise when court started late while working in Kisumu. He prides himself in being a decisive person of integrity and humility and a good time manager. He cited his record as the presiding judge of the Appellate Court in Kisumu from October 2014 to July 2016 where he made 1,250 judgments thereby clearing case backlogs.