Chief Justice David Maraga has issued a new order to all judges who are to make time-sensitive rulings on cases related to the presidential election.
The CJ sent a notice to the Principal Judge at the High Court of Kenya giving permission to all judges presiding over the urgent cases to sit on Wednesday despite the pronouncement that it will be a public holiday.
"It has come to my notice that tomorrow has been declared a public holiday. The presiding Judges of the Constitutional and Judicial Review Division have informed me that they have matters related to the Presidential Elections on Thursday, which they had scheduled to dispose of on 25th October 2017.
"The Judges of the two above mentioned Divisions have my authority to sit on 25th October to dispose of those matters," Justice Maraga stated.
[caption caption="The Notice Issued by Chief Justice David Maraga"]
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On Tuesday, The Ministry of Interior declared Wednesday, October 25 a public holiday.
According to a gazette notice, acting Interior CS Fred Matiang'i declared that this would facilitate Kenyans to participate in the presidential election.
"Wednesday the 25th of October 2017 is a public holiday to accord Kenyans an opportunity to participate in the Fresh Presidential Elections," the notice read in part.
Read Also: Wednesday Declared Public Holiday
Earlier in the day, the Chief Justice issued a directive that a case to halt the Thursday presidential election would be heard on Wednesday.
“The matter is to be heard at 10 am tomorrow notwithstanding that it may be a public holiday,” the directions issued by CJ Maraga stated.
[caption caption="File Photo of Supreme Court Bench"]
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