Maraga sparks wild excitement in Tanzania

dennis kibet

September 26, 2017 7:38 AM

The recent historic ruling by the Supreme Court has made Maraga famous across the globe.

Chief Justice David Maraga sparked excitement across the border on Monday after he attended the opening of the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Conference, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Maraga's name was met with a huge and thunderous applause from his fellow peers across the globe after he was introduced at the conference in Tanzania.

The reaction was an ominous sign of the respect that Kenya's Chief Justice wields not only across the continent but also worldwide following the historic ruling by the Supreme Court that nullified President Uhuru Kenyatta's win during the August 8 elections.

At the conference, Maraga, 66, was given a special mention before the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges.

"We are deeply honoured by your presence - Hon Chief Justice Maraga," the host, Tanzania Chief Justice Ibrahim Juma said.

However, Maraga declined to give an interview to the battery of journalists who were eager to hear from him after the landmark ruling.

Maraga and three other Supreme Court judges made history in the electoral sphere as the only fourth country to have a presidential election nullified by the courts.

Other countries that have had presidential elections nullified are Austria and the Maldives, an island nation in the Indian Ocean.

In Africa, the Supreme Court ruling declaring President Uhuru Kenyatta’s re-election null and void was the first of its kind.

Maraga holds a master’s degree in Law from the University of Nairobi and an LLB (Second Class Lower division) from the same institution.

Justice Maraga, 66, graduated as a lawyer 40 years ago from the University of Nairobi, before going into private practice.

He was appointed a judge in 2003 and rose to join the Court of Appeal in 2012.

An alumni of Kisii High School and the famous Maranda High School, the CJ is also a member of several professional bodies including the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, London.

He is married and has three children.

dennis kibet