CJ assures on judiciary ability to handle electoral disputes
By Samuel Musita
Chief Justice David Maraga, has stressed the judiciary’s ability to handle fairly electoral disputes cases that could arise after the August 8th general election.
According to the Chief Justice, it was only by doing their job in a free and fair manner that the Judiciary would achieve its goal of inspiring public confidence in its ability to discharge its mandate.
Speaking at a Nairobi Hotel when he met civil society organizations, Maraga also called on Kenyans and political leaders to work together to ensure a peaceful election, cautioning politicians against hate speech as they hunt for votes.
Speaking at the same event, Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Chairman, Wafula Chebukati, once again assured Kenyans that his team is ready for the elections.
Chebukati said the commission will observe the law to the letter to ensure the August 8th general election is credible.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Keriako Tobiko also disclosed that a team of special prosecutors, magistrates and lawyers are currently undergoing special training to deal with election-related cases.
Tobiko says this is necessary in order to expedite the dispensation of court cases and avert a repeat of the 207/8 post-election violence.
Tobiko who spoke Thursday morning at a forum that brought together the Judiciary, National Cohesion and Integration Commission-NCIC, the National Police Service and the Civil Society, expressed the need for various agencies to work together in order to ensure a peaceful election.
Tobiko however cited the multiplicity of investigative agencies, delays in the finalization of cases and threats against witnesses as a challenge in the prosecution of those propagating hate speech and incitement.
On his part, the Director of Criminal Investigations, Ndegwa Muhoro, assured the nation that the national Police Service has put measures in place including training security officers on collection and safeguarding evidence with which to fast track investigations.
The forum was organized by the National Council on the Administration of Justice, whose chairperson is Chief Justice David Maraga.
