Dr Mutunga also dismissed critics who have questioned his overtures to the police and Senate saying that it is aimed to foster better and cohesive relationships among the various arms and agencies of the government/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 16 – Exiting Chief Justice Willy Mutunga has said the new Constitution invests more power in the Judiciary, which supports the position that judicial activism is needed, particularly during the transition process.
Mutunga who gave a farewell address to the Senate on Wednesday, said: “Conservative societies don’t vote for such a progressive Constitution, it is only an activist or a progressive society that would have recommended the total disbanding or vetting of the Judiciary,” he said.
“It is only a progressive society that could have provided for an open, competitive recruitment of a Chief Justice in the full glare of the media. Conservative societies do not do that. It is also a progressive not a conservative society that frowns upon legislative supremacy in favour of constitutional supremacy even while acknowledging the important role played by the people in a democracy,” CJ Mutunga stated.
“If by conservatism, they mean what I found in the Judiciary. Then I’m so glad I am not conservative even by unconscious accident.”
He further says the Constitution and the courts have become through its activism as a symbol of hope for the people of Kenya.
Dr Mutunga also dismissed critics who have questioned his overtures to the police and Senate saying that it is aimed to foster better and cohesive relationships among the various arms and agencies of the government.
“This alarm that dialogue between two independent organs of State triggers, is grounded on the fundamental understanding of our Constitution and that is why I always get amused when some observers, clearly powered by a weak appreciation of the origins, context, content of our Constitution, charge that the Judiciary through its decisions and conduct has become activist. The Constitution 2010 is exactly activist by origin, design, text and intent,” the CJ stated.
At the same time, the CJ listed judicial independence, growing public and staff confidence and integrity in the Judiciary as among key gains realised in his four year tenure at the helm of the judicial arm of government.
Dr Mutunga who retires from office Thursday, said that he is proud to be the first Chief Justice to oversee the implementation of the 2010 Constitution which among others has granted the Judiciary its own funding and independence.
He also pointed out that the changes were not well received by cartels that had used the Judiciary to advance their interests.
“Kenya’s Judiciary was a corrupt secretive zone before my entry. I opened it up and we became transparent ignoring the peddled wisdom among government functionaries that their dirty linen should not be washed in public or be swept under the rag so as to project the image of a clean institution. Instead we have opened ourselves to public scrutiny believing that sunshine is the best disinfectant,” remarked Dr Mutunga.
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