Bungoma: Mixed reactions as Judicial nominees head for vetting

Written by Saenyi Daniel

The endorsement of the nominees for the top judiciary posts has been received with mixed reactions even before they are vetted by parliament. The Eldoret North legislator William Ruto, the Finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta and some churches have opposed the nominees whereas Harrisson Kinyanjui a Lawyer also went to court to block the two names. However, Bungoma civic leaders have said that Kenya’s new Chief Justice and Deputy promises to bring a new dawn in Kenya’s judiciary. Former MP for Sirisia Constituency Hon. John Munyasia said he was pleased with the decision. He was happy that ODM leaders refused the first lot of judges appointed which gave way for a fair and a transparent exercise to have new judicial judges. “I am very happy with the Judicial Service Commission for Mutunga and Barasa’s nomination as the Chief Justice and Deputy respectively. It is a good thing that ODM leaders refused the first vetting process of judges because it has just led to fair nominations, the two are very competent and they will definitely perform no matter what other people say,” said Mr. Munyasia. Mr. Julius Bakasa, the chairman of the county council of Bungoma, was happy with the endorsement especially that of the deputy chief justice Nancy Baraza. He was very pleased that she was from Bungoma County and being a lady with such a bigger position shows competence. “Her appointment just shows that the process was fair because she is very competent and the country is taking into consideration the issue of gender equality seriously. This will also help a great deal in the process of implementing the new constitution,” said Mr. Bakasa The Mayor of Bungoma Municipal council, Barasa Mbinga also approved Mr. Munyasia’s opinion about the nominations. “Mr. Mutunga has been loyal to the country ever since unlike other contestants, he did not let himself get entangled in our politics that are mostly driven by greed and negative ethnicity. Being detained doesn’t mean he was a criminal; he was just fighting for human rights and democracy. And about his earrings’, every person has their trademarks; a certain dress code doesn’t in anyway influence the performance capability of intellect. Just because we don’t wear certain accessories doesn’t give us the right to judge those who do. He can wear whatever he likes; all we want to see from him is competence and reforms in the judicial service commission,” said Mbinga. As much as many people agreed with the Judicial Service Commission’s decision, some were still obdurate, especially the churches. Bishop Reuben Lubanga an Executive Director and Co-founder of volunteer Kenya stressed that the fact that Mutunga is First indication that he will not perform to the expectations. He insisted that the government should address issues of rising immorality, IDPs and the needy in the society. “The government should focus their energy on more important issues and stop electing people who might not even perform. The fact that this issue has drawn attention away from pending matters makes us disagree with this decision” Said Bishop Lubanga. The names will now head to Parliament and, if approved, will be sent back to the President for appointment.