Justice David Maraga Kenani Biography, Family, & Values

Justice David Maraga Kenani is now the new Chief Justice of the Republic of  Kenya

Justice David Maraga was on Thursday unveiled as the Judicial Service Commission’s choice for the post of Chief Justice.

Justice David Maraga Kenani Biography

Justice David Maraga Kenani born in 1952, Bonyamatuta in Nyamira County, Kisii.

Justice David Kenani Maraga, 66,  is the Presiding Judge of the Court of Appeal in Kisumu.

He was appointed to the High Court in October 2003 and to the Court of Appeal in 2011. A holder of both an LL.B and an LL.M from the University of Nairobi, he also chairs the Judiciary Committee on Elections tasked with overseeing election petition hearings that may arise after the 2017 elections within the prescribed period in the constitution.

He successfully underwent the vetting board fending off accusations of tribalism and bribery seeking and was unanimously endorsed to continue to serve in 2012.

An avowed Seventh Day Adventist, he started the board proceedings when he invoked God’s name loudly and went on to swear that he had never taken a bribe in his life.

He graduated with a degree in Law from the University of Nairobi in 1977 and has a post-graduate diploma from the Kenya School of Law in 1978. He holds a Masters in Law from the University of Nairobi as well.

He holds a Masters in Law from the University of Nairobi as well.

Here are five other things to know about him;

1. He will only serve one term (6 years)
Justice Maraga is 64 years old. Judges retire at 70 meaning he will serve for six years. The Chief Justice position has an age limit of 70, meaning he will only serve one term and the commission will have to again interview applicants for his replacement.

His one term at the helm of the judiciary, if approved, will match his predecessor Willy Mutunga who resigned before reaching 70 years

2. He is going to be the 14th chief justice
Justice Maraga will be the 14th person to hold the office of the Chief Justice in post-independence Kenya. He will, however, be the second person to hold the office under the new constitution.

3. He is a staunch Seventh Day Adventist
During his interview on August 31, Justice Maraga was categorical that he would not work on Saturday in line with his Sabbath Day Adventist faith.

He said he cannot compromise church for work.

4. He headed the tribunal that recommended the removal of Judge Joseph Mutava
Justice Maraga had on Wednesday presented a report to President Uhuru Kenyatta recommending for the removal of Judge Mutava for misconduct.

This was after the tribunal he headed concluded its hearings and produced a full report.

5. He describes himself as a good time manager
Justice Maraga says he used to apologize when court started late while working in Kisumu. He prides himself on being a decisive person of integrity and humility and a good time manager.

He cited his record as the presiding judge of the Appellate Court in Kisumu from October 2014 to July 2016 where he made 1,250 judgments thereby clearing case backlogs.

Justice Maraga Family

Maraga is a father of three. Vashti Kemuma is his daughter.

Sources: Nairobinews, Trending.co.ke