AG Kihara Kariuki responds to CJ Maraga

Attorney General Kihara Kariuki on Tuesday hit back at Chief Justice David Maraga who claimed President Uhuru Kenyatta was frustrating efforts of the Judiciary.

While addressing the press, Kihara said some of the sentiments made by the CJ create a perception that he is seeking to influence case outcomes.

"The Chief Justice is openly commenting on merits and demerits of cases. It creates a perception that he is seeking to influence cases outcomes.

“The CJ may have breached contempt of court by discussing matters in court in media brief. The people of Kenya deserve effective leadership that prioritizes service over self. The executive is willing to work with all arms of the Government,” said Kihara.

The AG also said that the CJ would have sort more appropriate avenues of addressing the President and not playing to the public gallery.

“The public attacks by the Chief Justice have now taken a personal slur. We shall respond to him directly with respect to issues which are not subject to ongoing cases.

“The Executive will not discuss cases before the court," he said.

Chief Justice David Maraga on Monday made his frustrations known to the media through a presser that had some hard-hitting words directed at President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Maraga blamed the President for disregarding court orders, terming it a recipe for anarchy.

“The refusal of the President to appoint the 41 judges, was a grave violation of the constitution

“The President's disregard of court orders, doesn't board well for our constitutional democracy & is potentially a recipe for anarchy; the Executive routinely disregards court orders,” he said.

In his address, the CJ also voiced frustrations at how he has sought audience with President Kenyatta but to no avail.

He challenged the Head of State to uphold the Constitution and be an example by obeying the law.

“How can we expect God to bless our nation, when we're so callous to the most desperate in our society?

“I have for a long time now unsuccessfully sought an appointment to discuss this issue with you, leaving me no choice but to raise the matter through this public statement; you swore to defend & uphold the constitution & the laws of Kenya,” said Maraga.