CJ Koome’s tribute to Charles Njonjo attracts criticism from city lawyers
Prominent city lawyers have slammed Chief Justice (CJ) Martha Koome over her eulogy to the late Charles Njonjo.
In her tribute, CJ Koome stated that the late Njonjo's legacy will serve as an inspiration to Judges, Judicial Officers and Advocates on the fundamental considerations of trial preparation to expedite access to justice.
Koome further alluded that Njonjo played a key role in the establishment of the Kenyan bar imparting an exceptional lawyering approach, a statement that did not augur well with the city lawyers.
The statement did not sit well with Makau Mutua and flamboyant lawyer Ahmednassir Abdullahi.
According to Makau Mutua, Njonjo is“ one of the most vicious, anti-black, vengeful and anti-democratic officials in Kenya. ”
“I cannot believe that CJ Martha Koome wrote such blatant lies about the late AG Charles Njonjo. He will go down in history as one of the most vicious, anti-black, vengeful and anti-democratic officials in Kenya. He was an important architect of a corrupt, fascist state," Makau said.
Ahmednasir Abdullahi asked the CJ not to rewrite history and urged her to be truthful about past occurrences.
"It is very important for the CJ to be truthful about the story. ALWAYS! To put on record that Charles Njonjo, was a great encouragement to other members of the Black Bar is a lie and a cheap one too," Ahmednasir said.
Embattled lawyer Miguna Miguna also added his voice on the matter saying: “We can apologise for selfish statements made by politicians. But we cannot allow you to distort Kenya’s history. You are old enough to know that Njonjo presided over the destruction of the constitutionally prudential detention, torture and the destruction of justice.
The veteran post-independent Kenya's Attorney-General (AG) succumbed to pneumonia on Sunday at the age of 101.
