Kenya's new judges sworn in
President Kibaki congratulates Justice Grace Wambui after she was sworn in as a High Court judge at State House, Nairobi on September 2, 2011. Photo/ PPS
Kenya's 28 new judges can now begin work after they were sworn into office on Friday.
President Kibaki witnessed the swearing-in of the newly appointed judges of the High Court at State House, Nairobi.
The ceremony which was conducted by Chief Registrar of Judiciary Gladys Boss Shollei and was also witnessed by Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and Chief Justice Willy Mutunga.
Addressing the judges, President Kibaki urged them to focus on executing their mandate in accordance with the laws of the country and not to be distracted by prophets of doom.
President Kibaki expressed confidence that the judges were equal to the task ahead of them and urged them to use their vast knowledge and skills to restore Kenyans’ faith in the country’s judicial system.
Noting that Kenyans accomplished a milestone by passing the new Constitution, the Head of State expressed joy that important legislation and creation of important constitutional commissions had so far been achieved in order to consolidate the implementation of the new law.
In this regard, the President congratulated the new judges on their appointment through a transparent and very competitive process and called on the judiciary to play its rightful role in the remaining phases of the constitution implementation process.
Transformative
CJ Mutunga said that with the recruitment of the new judicial staff, the cornerstone of a transformative judiciary had been entrenched while the process of recruitment was expected to continue to lower echelons of the institution.
The CJ also confirmed that vital dialogue between the three arms of government was taking place for the benefit of the nation which he asserted was bigger than any of the three branches.
Of the 28 appointed judges, 13 are women while 15 are men.
Others in attendance were Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo, Lands Minister James Orengo, Head of Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet Francis Muthaura, Chief of Defence Forces James Karangi, Attorney General Prof Githu Muigai, members of the Judicial Service Commission, senior government officials and family members of the newly appointed judges.
