Nairobi Star (Nairobi)
8 June 2011
editorial
Yesterday the candidates for Chief Justice and Deputy Chief Justice both reassured the Constitution and Implementation Oversight Committee that they were not gay. It is very demeaning that the Kenyan political system has been reduced to examining the sexual orientation of candidates for political office.
It is ironical that some politicians criticising the supposed ‘immorality’ of candidates have themselves appeared in court in multiple criminal cases.
The Catholic Church, a critic of Mutunga and Baraza, also betrayed its double standards on Monday when it responded angrily to CIOC questions about the sexual integrity of some priests.
Be that as it may, it is now firmly established that Willy Mutunga and Nancy Baraza are not gay, which is not surprising since they both have children.
Yesterday their eloquent testimony to the CIOC made it clear that they are in fact the kind of principled reformers desperately needed in the judiciary.
The CIOC is due to submit its report on the candidates to Parliament today. If it is adopted, then Kenya could have a new Chief Justice by Friday.
There is no longer any reason for delay. Let us swiftly conclude these proceedings so we can embark on the long-overdue reform of the judiciary.
Quote of the day: “I believe in the equality of man; and I believe that religious duties consist in doing justice, loving mercy, and endeavoring to make our fellow-creatures happy.” – Political writer Thomas Paine died on June 8, 1809
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