Guard the independence of Judiciary jealously; CJ Koome and Orengo urge Kenyans

Siaya, Friday, June 16, 2023

KNA by Philip Onyango

Kenyans have been urged to ensure that they safeguard the independence of Judiciary if the country was to make strides in development.

Chief Justice Martha Koome and Siaya Governor James Orengo said the gains made in ensuring a Judiciary that serves the Kenyans equally did not come on a silver platter as many lives and property were lost to fight for the same.

They were speaking at the Siaya law courts after the Chief Justice opened a new high court building today.

CJ Koome said that the journey towards a people centred justice system was no small feat adding that it calls for understanding of the unique need and challenges of Kenyans so as to tailor the approaches to meet the needs.

She said that as the Judiciary strives to bring justice closer to the people, there was need for judicial officers to recognize that the traditional adversarial system of justice, while critical, is not the sole mechanism for resolution of disputes.

“I urge all of us to open our hearts and minds to embrace a multi-door approach to justice,” she said.

The Chief Justice, who was flanked by senior judiciary officials, among them the Chief Registrar Anne Amadi, said that it was their goal to have in place a Judiciary that listens, cares and serves the citizens.

She called for support from Kenyans to enable the Judiciary succeed in all the initiatives it was undertaking to have a justice system that is a true reflection of the citizens’ shared aspirations.

Addressing the occasion, governor Orengo said Kenyans must never look back to a situation where the gains made under the current constitution are clawed back.

“I do not want to take for granted the importance of an independent Judiciary. I have lived to see the difference between an independent Judiciary and an executive controlled Judiciary,” said Orengo, a senior counsel.

He appealed to the Chief Justice and the Judiciary in general not to surrender to the whims of those who wanted to control it, adding that a lot of lives were lost while fighting for the gains.

During the occasion, the Chief Justice accepted a request by governor Orengo to have the new Siaya High Court renamed CMG Argwings Kodhek Court, after a pioneer African barrister and former Cabinet Minister who hailed from Siaya County.

The occasion was also attended by among others, Siaya Speaker George Okode, deputy County Commissioner Robert Ng’etich and a host of Court of Appeal and High Court judges.

Courtesy ; K. N. A