National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi on Tuesday threw out a petition seeking the removal of Chief Justice David Maraga and other judiciary officials.
The petition forwarded to parliament by one Adrian Kamotho sought to have the CJ, DCJ Philomena Mwilu, as well as Justice Mohamed Warsame, Justice Aggrey Muchelule, Prof. Tom Ojienda, Emily Ominde and Mercy Deche booted from the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
In dismissing the petition, Speaker Muturi stated that it was "misplaced, a long shot, pedestrian and a fishing expedition."
Mr Kamotho accused the seven of a violation of the constitution and the law, incompetence and gross misconduct in the performance of the functions.
[caption caption="File image of Speaker Muturi during a parliamentary session"]
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The petition that was filed in Parliament on Monday indicted the CJ in his capacity as the chair of the JSC and further accused him of colluding with the others named to avert justice.
"Mr Maraga and the six JSC members have failed to promote, facilitate the independence and accountability of the judiciary and transparent administration of justice contrary to Article 172 (1) of the constitution," the petition read in part.
He went on to outline that past investigations into the conduct of Supreme Court Justice Jackton Ojwang' as well as incoming Attorney General Paul Kihara were malicious.
"Investigations against Mr Kihara points to malicious agenda on the part of Mr Maraga and the other five JSC commissioners. This purported investigation is entirely unconscionable in light of Sections 13 (1) and 18 (3) of the Court of Appeal (Organisation and Administration) Act.
"This is inherently incompatible with Article 160 (5) of the Constitution, given that the judges acted in good faith and lawfully performed legitimate judicial functions as stipulated under Section 13 (1) (b) of the Court of Appeal (Organization and Administration) Act, 2015," the petition outlined.
Majority of social media users who responded to the petition had accused the Jubilee wing of parliament of orchestrating an onslaught against the Judiciary.
[caption caption="CJ David Maraga"]
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