Government's fresh announcement on CJ David Maraga

juma chrispinus

September 15, 2017 11:03 AM

The new announcement comes even after the petition to oust CJ Maraga was filed.

The government has maintained that the criticism directed towards the Judiciary is due and that the CJ should have enough shock absorbers to withstand the heat.

Government spokesperson Eric Kiraithe has told a press briefing in Mombasa that the president has all the rights to criticise the ruling, even as Jubilee MP petitioned the Judicial Service Commission to have CJ David Maraga axed.

“CJ Maraga has the necessary shock absorbers to remain professional, giving opinion on a judgment is not criminal,” Mr Kiraithe has said.

Mr Kiraithe’s remarks comes a day even after the Nyeri MP and writer Ngunjiri Wambugu presented a petition to the Judicial Service Commission, which the CJ chairs, a petition to have CJ Maraga axed in anew onslaught, which the opposition is blaming on the ruling made early this month that annulled the presidential elections.

“The MP has his constitutional right to do what he did. So all corners of the country have concerns about the Judiciary, but that doesn’t mean that the Executive is out to interfere with the Judiciary. The Judiciary is free to spearhead a balanced and just society and at the same time uphold democracy,” Mr Kiraithe told reporters.

Meanwhile, a group of MPs from Kisii County led by Kitutu Chache Constituency MP Jimmy Angwenyi has issued a new demand to the Uhuru Kenyatta team to withdraw the petition, by close of business today.

The stand has been lauded by the National Super Alliance team, but has caused a huge split in the Uhuru’s camp.

Majority Leaders in the Senate and National Assembly Kipchumba Murkomen and Aden Duale have told reporters in Parliament buildings that the petition seeking to remove Chief Justice David Maraga from office is not a Jubilee affair.

They have however reitariated that the Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu has a right like any other Kenyan to file a petition at the Judicial Service Commission

Terror alert

Mr Kiraithe has also cautioned Kenyans to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities from unknown people.

He has added that the level of terror treat in the country has not declined, meaning that Kenya is still susceptible to attacks from the Somali based Islamic group Al Shabaab.

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