Chief Justice David Maraga on Sunday, June 14, responded to a video circulating online that accused him of a number of transgressions.
The video claimed that Pauline Nyamweya, the presiding judge of the Judicial Review Division at Milimani Law Courts had intimate relations with the CJ.
"Judge Nyamweya has been romantically involved with CJ Maraga since late 2017 and even shared a number of intimate moments during the 2018 annual judges colloquium as recorded at CJ Maraga's hotel room at Serena Hotel," claimed the video.
It also alleged that six Judiciary nominees had enjoyed romantic relationships with members of the Judiciary Service Commission (JSC) panel.
The video had a number of accusations levelled against Maraga including lack of objectivity in the vetting of judges in the JSC.
"It took the efforts of several private citizens and members of the LSK [Law Society of Kenya] to go to the court where orders were given which told CJ Maraga and the JSC that the vetting is irregular and would need to be conducted afresh and in the presence of the media to guarantee public participation.
"CJ Maraga and the JSC disobeyed this order and continued the vetting in private. Members of the media were only allowed to photograph the interviewees before and after they saw the panel," claimed the video.
The video also insinuated that once the list was released it became clear that the vetting exercise was held in private.
Out of the 41 judge nominees, 18 had troublesome track records that would warrant further investigations if the process had been made public, according to the video.
The video compiled by Kenya One also noted that two judges namely Chacha Mwita and Aggrey Muchelule had been named by the recently convicted Akasha Brothers as receiving bribes and providing protection for criminals and their associates.
The allegations in the video also stated the lack of objective vetting practice and oversight has led to a position where judicial appointees were tainted by controversy.
Video has sparked reactions from a number of lawyers who have slammed it as a witchhunt against the Kenyan Judiciary.
"Good morning Friends. The Judiciary is like a hospital. Everyone will need it one day whether powerful or powerless. The targeted vilification of CJ David Maraga and Judges should be resisted, fought and remedied. The Executive must uphold the Constitution and obey Court orders," read a tweet from LSK President Nelson Havi.
Former Minister of Justice Martha Karua termed the video as unacceptable and noted that if there were issues with the Judiciary it needed to be laid on the table as opposed to mudslinging.
"My Lord the Chief Justice these shadowy characters have no morals neither do they care. They want to justify their assault on Judicial independence. I beg you please don’t publicize their evil videos. Don’t tweet them. You are aiding their cause," tweet Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen.
1. This is how low they have sunk in their determination to undermine the Judiciary and judicial independence. pic.twitter.com/HX1GWT9DjL
— David Maraga (@dkmaraga) June 14, 2020
