KENYA’S CHIEF JUSTICE ASSURES EAC-COMESA-IGAD ELECTION OBSERVERS OF JUDICIARY’S PREPAREDNESS FOR ANY POST ELECTION PETITIONS IN NON-PARTISAN MANNER

Kenya’s Chief Justice Dr. Willy Mutunga has assured the East African Community (EAC), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and Inter-Governmental Authority in Development (IGAD) Election Observer Missions to the 4^th March 2013 Kenya General Elections that the judiciary was ready and well prepared to handle the forthcoming elections including related disputes that may arise.

The Chief Justice, who was this morning meeting the leaders of EAC-COMESA-IGAD Election Observer Missions; Hon. Abdulrahman Kinana; Amb. Simbi Veke Mubako; and Amb. Dr. Berhane Ghebray respectively, in his office in Nairobi, said the Judiciary would deal with election disputes impartially and efficiently and that 114 judges and 436 magistrates would handle any disputes that may arise, to ensure that petitions are heard and determined in a speedy manner.

“We are fully prepared and organized to deal with any number and manner of disputes that may arise from these elections in an independent, non-partisan, and efficient way,” he said. The Chief Justice said that the judiciary was above any form of bias and that they would uphold the spirit of the Constitution to the letter.

“These elections will usher in a new governance structure not experienced before by Kenyans. It is, therefore, a time for our national institutions, beginning with the Judiciary, but encompassing the Executive, to work in harmony to ensure elections are fair and credible,” he said.

Dr. Mutunga informed his guests that it was very calming to see a lot of foreign and local observers following the Kenya elections. “I have never seen such an election in the country with huge investment and goodwill purposely to ensure it (election) is free, fair and peaceful” asserted the Chief Justice. 

The leaders of the Observer Missions hailed the Chief Justice for the well preparedness of the Judiciary. “We are happy with the arrangements and all points to the direction that you are on top of things” concurred all the three Heads of Missions.

On Thursday 28 February, 2013, the joint missions had audience with the Kenya Inspector General of Police Mr. David Kimaiyo; Secretary to the Cabinet and Head of the Public Service, Mr. Francis T. Kimemia; Chairman of National Cohesion and Integration Commission, Mr. Mzalendo N. Kibunjia; and a Presidential aspirant, Ms Martha Karua. The discussions centered on the elections and related issues. The meetings largely welcomed the presence of the joint EAC-COMESA-IGAD missions’ presence at the polls.