MUTUNGA’S CRITICS ARE ANTI-REFORMISTS

MUTUNGA’S CRITICS ARE ANTI-REFORMISTS

By Shadrack  Mbaka,

One would be left tongue tied when politicians would take to the podium to disregard the nomination of Dr. Willy Mutunga as Kenya’s next Chief justice, zooming in on the fact that Dr. Willy Mutunga wears an earring. Take this scenario for instance, there is a law that will require our current crop of politicians to undergo public vetting, indeed they are smart and well groomed, what happens when some are questioned about their academic background and are found  unfit to take up public office or are tainted with corruption allegations?

Does it really matter what a qualified candidate looks like, or is it whether the individual can deliver? Let me make it more realistic. Does it matter at all whether Dr. Willy Mutunga dons on a stud, or should we focus in his ability to get the job done if not perfected?

It all unfolded right before our eyes ( thanks to the Media) during the interview that Dr. Mutunga was the man to beat for the position of Chief Justice. Former pupils,associates, colleagues and teachers who include Prof. Makau Mutua and National Assembly speaker Kenneth Marende, in their private capacities have testified to Dr. Mutunga’s brilliance and integrity in addition to his reform record that spans over three decades.

The criticisms hurled at Dr. Mutunga have nothing to do with the ear stud. In fact I don’t remember any of Dr. Mutunga’s critics complain about Sonko’s stud when he first joined the August House, given the reason that he was representing the style of the youth in parliament.  

Therefore this brings us to the relevant question, so why is the ear stud critics upset with Dr. Willy Mutunga? The fact is that, the critics are all frightened by reforms and have had a long record of stalling reforms.

We should not fall prey to the diversionary tactics being orchestrated by the critics. The truth of the matter is that if parliament endorses Dr. Mutunga as  CJ he will automatically assume the role of the President of the Supreme Court and its only understandable that some Judges are afraid that Mutunga will conduct a strict vetting process while some of our “dear” politicians fear that He is independent minded and won’t be easily cowed by the executive arm of Government.

Upon Dr. Mutunga’s confirmation as CJ, it is most likely that the status quo will  change and never again will it be business as usual in the corridors and chambers of justice . This is the real reason that most critics really dread.