Chief Justice Maraga Says “No” To Malala’s Goats

Chief Justice David Maraga on Friday turned down gifts from Kakamega senator Cleophas Malala.

The president of the supreme court was in Kakamega to launch a new building which houses the Kakamega Law Courts.

The senator offered the CJ three goats, which symbolized the three Arms of Government (Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary).

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According to Malala, the arms of government should work together.

Speaking during the ceremony, the lawmaker asked the outgoing chief justice to “mend fences with the Executive and the Legislature by withdrawing his advisory to the Head of State”.

“We understand that the CJ has every reason to secure his legacy. Kenyans have no problem with that zeal and the CJ’s quest to uphold the rule of law and Constitutionalism. However, the CJ should call a truce with the Executive and Legislature by withdrawing his advisory to President Kenyatta,” said Malala.

On Monday, Maraga advised President Uhuru Kenyatta to dissolve parliament over the two-thirds gender rule which is yet to be enacted.

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The CJ rose to receive the goats but immediately handed them to the Chairperson of the Kakamega Law Courts.

Rejecting the gifts, the CJ noted that the code of conduct for judicial staff bars him from receiving gifts worth over Sh20,000.

“This donation puts me in a bad situation. First, if I’m not wrong, the Senator has a case in one of the courts. These three goats would cost over Ksh20,000, and I cannot accept the animals,” said the CJ.

Other speakers present urged the CJ to reconsider his advisory to the president noting that fresh elections would not guarantee that the gender rule is achieved.