Mutunga: I warned Uhuru, Matiang’i against meddling in Judiciary affairs

By Peter Ochieng

Former Chief Justice (CJ) Willy Munyoki Mutunga on Friday recalled how he used to advise politicians, among them retired president Uhuru Kenyatta and former Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Fred Matiang’i, against meddling in the affairs of the judiciary. 

Mutunga served as CJ from 2011 to 2016, when he was succeeded by David Kenani Maraga. He served the bulk of his term during Kenya’s fourth president – Uhuru Kenyatta’s time in office. 

Speaking at the Supreme Court during the launch of the Social Transformation through Access to Justice (STAJ) 2023-2033 blueprint and presentation of the State of the Judiciary and the Administration of Justice Annual Report (SOJAR) 2022-2023, Mutunga said he used to advice Uhuru, Matiang’i and others not to interfere with the affairs of the judiciary, but they seemingly ignored him. 

"In my office as CJ, whenever I interacted with the Presidents and DPs, I used to tell them one thing; that if you think you can enslave the judiciary, it can also be enslaved by those who come after you, and they can come after you literally. This message is for politicians who are present," the former Chief Justice recalled. 

He said the likes of Uhuru and Matiang’i disregarded his advice because they were in power, but tables started turning when they left office in 2022. 

"I remember when former President Uhuru Kenyatta's goats were stolen and trees were cut. I tried to call him to remind him that we had that discussion, that the Judiciary is a place where the bewildered run to, that’s why we are called the temple of justice, because that's where the Constitution protects anybody. Uhuru's sons with their guns’ licenses where did they go to?"

"Even Matiang'i, when his rights to privacy were violated, I tried to call him. I wanted to tell him that we were protecting his rights because the politics of revenge is what the constitution does not envisage,” he said. 

He reminded the current crop of politicians to guarantee the independence and integrity of the Judiciary for peace to prevail even when they are out of office.