Catholic bishops query Mutunga’s character

Wednesday, 25 May 2011 00:09 BY MONICAH MWANGI

DISPLEASED: John Cardinal Njue

Catholic bishops have criticised the nomination of Dr Willy Mutunga and Nancy Barasa to the positions of Chief Justice and Deputy Chief Justice respectively.
Led by the head of the church John Cardinal Njue, at a press conference yesterday, the bishops questioned the integrity of Dr Mutunga. “There is need to ensure that those appointed to these esteemed offices satisfy all constitutional criteria including high moral character, integrity and impartiality,” Njue said.
The bishops claim experience, education and intellectual capacity are not enough requirements for the job and invoked the constitution to state that the process is far from over.
The bishops did not however explain what ‘moral character’ means. Njue was accompanied by Archbishop of Kisumu Zacheuos Okoth, Archbishop of Nyeri Peter Kairo and Eldoret Bishop Cornelius Korir.
They all accused the Judicial Service Commission of not putting into consideration the morality aspect when identifying the candidates. “By presenting single individuals to the two principals, the commission obrogated the power of the executive. And now that the names have been presented to Parliament, it is now upon our parliamentarians to defend and protect the interests of the people of Kenya,” they said.
Dr Willy Mutunga and Barasa have received both support and criticism from various quarters since they were nominated. President Kibaki and PM Raila have approved their nomination.
Among those opposing the appointment of Dr Mutunga is Eldoret North MP William Ruto. Ruto says Mutunga’s stud rules him out of the position of head of Judiciary.