Raila CONGRATULATES Chief Justice Nominee David Maraga

Kenyans have welcomed the nomination of Judge David Maraga as the new Chief Justice to replace Willy Mutunga.Leaders from across the political divide praised JSC’s appointment of Maraga, 65, who will now await vetting by the National Assembly and eventually the approval by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

ODM leader Raila Odinga was among the first to wish Judge Maraga well, saying he is up to the task before him.”I took the opportunity to wish the new Chief Justice nominee Justice David Maranga(sic) well,” Raila tweeted during his tour of Kwale on Thursday.

Kisii Governor James Ongwae congratulated Maraga, terming him as diligent and God-fearing.”On behalf of Kisii county government and myself, I would like to congratulate Justice Maraga on his nomination for the important post,” Ongwae said in a statement on Thursday.Read: The Bible and the law: Nominated Chief Justice David Maraga in profile

The Cord coalition also congratulated the judge who was appointed to the High Court in October 2003 and to the Court of Appeal in 2011 assuring him of approval by the coalition MPs in parliament.

“Cord congratulates the impeccable David Maraga for being named Chief Justice nominee. We will unequivocally support his nomination in bunge,” the coalition said on its Twitter handle.

Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen referred to Maraga as a man of integrity, who is ready to ensure transformation of the judiciary.

“Congratulations Justice Maraga. He deserves it. Let’s restore values to our judiciary. Smokin Wanjala is the future” the Senator tweeted on Thursday.Senate Deputy Minority Whip Janet Ong’era also congratulated the judge who was a presiding judge of the Court of Appeal in Kisumu.
“I welcome the nomination of David Maraga and congratulate him on leading in the interviews conducted by the JSC,” she said.

Former JSC member lawyer Ahmnednasir Abdullahi also welcomed Maraga’s nomination, saying: “Justice Maraga is our new CJ. congratulations … ”

Maraga, who was the third judge to be interviewed for the position of the next Chief Justice, is expected to assume office immediately Uhuru approves his nomination.

He was among 11 judges shortlisted by the Judicial Service Commission.

The Judge is a holder of both an LL.B and an LL.M from the University of Nairobi. He also chairs the Judiciary Committee on Elections tasked with overseeing election petition hearings that may arise after the 2017 elections within the prescribed period in the constitution.

An avowed Seventh Day Adventist, he startled the board proceedings when he invoked God’s name loudly and went on to swear that he had never taken a bribe in his life.

Also read:CJ interviews: AG Muigai tests Maraga’s

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