Mutunga vows to reform Judiciary as CJ

Kenya's next Chief Justice Willy Mutunga has said the biggest challenge once he assumes office will be to manage the "astronomical expectations" of Kenyans.

In a statement Thursday, Dr Mutunga said he will make it a priority to redeem the face of the Judiciary and restore Kenyans' faith in the institution.

"Obviously, my greatest challenge will be to manage the astronomical expectations of a Kenyan people who long lost their faith in their judiciary but now believe I wave a magic wand," said Dr Mutunga, who will be the first CJ under the new constitutional dispensation.

"This is an issue I must address the moment I have taken the Oath of Office of the Chief Justice under the new constitution. I look forward to talking to Kenyans immediately I am sworn in."

On Wednesday, Parliament approved his nomination for Chief Justice by adopting the Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee's (CIOC) report.

The report had recommended that Dr Mutunga, together with the nominee for the new Deputy Chief Justice post Nancy Baraza and Director of Public Prosecutions nominee Keriako Tobiko, be approved by the National Assembly.

However, some CIOC members had expressed reservations on Mr Tobiko in the report and recommended that he should be probed further over corruption allegations.

But the clause requiring further investigation on the part of Mr Tobiko was expunged before the nominations were put to the vote.

In his statement, Dr Mutunga thanked Kenyans for their prayers, support and their submissions to the CIOC during the nomination process.

"I cannot forget the many Kenyans who have prayed and supported my nomination for the office of the Chief Justice of the Republic of Kenya.

"I cannot forget the many other Kenyans who made propositions to the Parliamentary committee during my confirmatory hearings whether or not they did so in my support," he said.

He also thanked the Judicial Service Commission for carrying out the interviews in a transparent manner and President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga for nominating him "with unanimity".

Dr Mutunga also expressed gratitude to the CIOC for "judicious hearing they accorded me in the confirmatory hearing process; the plenary of the National Assembly for finally approving my appointment to the office of the Chief Justice".

The next step will be for President Kibaki to formally appoint the three nominees followed by their swearing in.