Chief Justice David Maraga’s bid to have a united front in the fight against intimidation of the Judiciary on Tuesday suffered a major blow after four top officials abandoned him at the hour of need.

Maraga, who is the Chairman of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), had called a meeting to strategize and respond to the constant attacks against the Judiciary.

However, key members of the JSC did not show up at the meeting and at the subsequent press conference, where the Chief Justice pleaded with Kenyans to support his team against intimidation by the executive and parliament.

The JSC is an independent constitutional commission that is in charge of administrative issues at the Judiciary.

Out of its eleven members, only seven appeared at Maraga’s meeting.

Those who failed to attend are appointees of the President, who has not shied away from showing disapproval after Maraga led the Supreme Court in nullifying his August 8 election.

Kenya’s Attorney General Prof Githu Muigai and the head of Public Service Commission (PSC) Prof Margaret Kobia are among those who failed to attend the Tuesday meeting.

The JSC has broad representation including the Chief Justice, the attorney general, the head of the PSC, two members nominated by the Law Society of Kenya, one respective member from the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, the High Court, and the Magistrates’ courts.

Commissioners Kipngetich arap Korir Bett and Winnie Guchu, who represent the President in the JSC, did not show up.

Coincidentally, Ms Guchu was also President Kenyatta's Deputy Chief Agent in the nullified August 8 presidential election.