Senator Kilonzo Jnr lauds CJ Koome after asking Uhuru to appoint 6 rejected judges
Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jnr has lauded Chief Justice Martha Koome after she released a statement urging President Uhuru Kenyatta to appoint the six judges he rejected.
This is after the President appointed 34 judges and rejected six including Justice George Odunga and Joel Ngugi who were part of the five-judge High Court bench that rejected BBI.
In a statement he wrote on his Twitter handle, the Senator indirectly said CJ Koome is bold enough to take a position on serious matters affecting the Judiciary.
The Senator indirectly hit out at those who labelled her as incompetent saying she has demonstrated that she can stand her ground in defending the Judiciary.
While responding to a press statement by Koome, Senator Mutula wrote; "Just in case anyone thought the CJ will be a pushover".
Senator Mutula is among Kenyan lawyers who opposed the move by the President to reject six judges for failing the integrity test.
"The refusal to promote Judges to the Court of appeal amounts to a veto on the powers of JSC. They cannot act on the memo on the suitability of the said judges or rescind their decision. Meanwhile, the Judges are presiding over matters this morning. This is untidy Hon AG," he tweeted on Friday.
Public outcry from Kenyans and a section of legal professionals saw the CJ issue a statement on the matter on Friday.
In a statement, CJ Koome asked the President to appoint the six saying the judiciary is in dire need of their services.
"We call upon H.E. the President to similarly appoint the remaining 6 judges because the Judiciary is still in dire need as the backlog of cases is increasing," CJ Koome said.
She further stated that the Judiciary is an independent institution as envisaged in the constitution adding that they wont be directed in what to do.
"Respect for the rule of law and the independence of the Judiciary is guaranteed under the Constitution. No person or authority is allowed to direct the JSC or the Judiciary in the execution of their mandate," she said
