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{
    "id": 49505,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/49505/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 419,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Githae",
    "speaker_title": "The Minister for Nairobi Metropolitan Development",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 159,
        "legal_name": "Robinson Njeru Githae",
        "slug": "robinson-githae"
    },
    "content": " Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, I rise to second this very important Bill. I think the Minister has clearly explained why it was necessary. I think three or four amendments have been put in the Bill to make it relevant. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, I think Kenya is in the Guinness Book of World Records; it is the only country as of now without a Chief Justice. What a sad day this is! It is now very clear that before chase away another officer, we must make arrangements for a replacement. Before this is done, then that officer should continue performing his duties until the new person is ready to step in. We are surviving, I think, by the Grace of God. It is so important that we pass this Bill so that the vetting can start. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, it is clear that the vetting will start from the Court of Appeal and go downwards. That is the way it should be so that Kenyans can start having confidence in their Judiciary. As you know, this is one of the reasons this country went into post-election violence in 2007. The losing party made a decision that they had no confidence in the Judiciary and, therefore, were not going to petition the results. We now know that any judge who will have passed through the vetting process will not only be qualified but will also be full of integrity. He will not bow to political situations in the country, and will make judgments that can stand scrutiny. I think it is a good thing. Those of us who have been able to watch the interviews being conducted for the position of the Chief Justice will know that, that is a humbling experience. We have seen prospective candidates there losing their temper, being asked very personal questions, being asked to account for their wealth, being asked to justify some of the judgments they made and being asked to justify some of the different judgments they made almost on the same facts. I think this is the way it should be. The only quarrel with this is that we may lose some very good candidates who may not be prepared to go through that kind of scrutiny and interview. Otherwise, there normally would be good people who would make good judges of the Supreme Court. However, I think that is the way it should be."
}