Chief Justice David Maraga on Thursday, January 23, got candid with President Uhuru Kenyatta over the relationship that they share as the foremost leaders in the country.
Speaking at the Supreme Court during the launch of the State of the Judiciary Report 2018/2019, Maraga revisited the events of November 2019, where he angrily complained about alleged frustrations from the Executive.
Maraga told President Kenyatta that many of the things he had stated on the date had been taken out of context to portray a scenario where the Executive and the Judiciary were embroiled in a bitter fight.
"In the course of discharging our separate mandates, a few disagreements here and there can crop up, but I am one person who respects authority. I would be the last person to stand and appear like I am disrespectful to you.
"I would not talk to the Deputy President or the Prime Minister in such a manner. I know that I am not of your class or theirs. You play from a different and senior league. Mine is on a lower level," he stated.
Maraga further assured the President that he knew his place in the governance structure, where he made clear that he was at the same level as the Speaker of the Senate and the National Assembly, with all other leaders coming below him.
"With that in mind, we need to have mutual respect for each other and recognise each other's positions. I cannot even attempt to stand up and ridicule the president.
"He is not only the head of the executive but also the head of state. He is the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces and a unifying factor of the country. That has to be recognised," Maraga asserted.
Maraga went on to urge President Uhuru to reconsider the budget cuts to the Judiciary, which he stated was heavily hampering the judiciary's mandate in prosecuting cases successfully.
"Last year, we had abrupt budget cuts... I made calls and the calls were not responded to... We live in this country and we understand some of the measures, but even if there will be budget cuts, at least consult with us," he prayed.
He also assured the President that several high-profile corruption cases had been successfully prosecuted and that others were close to being concluded with results expected soon.
Maraga at the event also expressed the Judiciary's regret at the prosecution of the Akashas in the US after years of trial in the country, where he stated that the case was an embarrassment to all the stakeholders in Kenya's justice system.
