Sunday, January 8, 2012

FIDA defends Baraza over gun drama


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FIDA defends Baraza over gun drama
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 7 -The Kenyan Chapter of the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) has come to the defence of embattled Deputy Chief Justice Nancy Baraza over a recent confrontation with a security guard, Rebecca Kerubo at the Village Market.
FIDA Executive Director Grace Maingi said it’s important for the institutions mandated to investigate the matter be given unprejudicial space for a thorough probe.
She said this would ensure the rule of law was respected and followed.
“In our view it is not good for her (Baraza) to be asked to step aside or to resign before the investigations are concluded because everyone has a right to a fair trial and therefore it is important for the Judicial Service Commission to be given an opportunity to carry out its investigations and if need be hold a tribunal,” Maingi said.
She added that a decision to remove the Deputy Chief Justice from office was purely that of the Judicial Service Commission.
“People saying that women are not good leaders because of this incident really is patriarchy speaking. She has said that the incident was unfortunate, we should respect her view with regards to that and we need to realise that she is an individual; this does not in any way mean that women do not have the temperament to be able to be in leadership positions,” the FIDA boss said.
The Deputy Chief Justice on Wednesday issued a statement terming her confrontation with Kerubo as unfortunate.
In her defense, Baraza said the incident should be viewed as a genuine security apprehension on her part following threats of violence against her in the last few months.
The conflict is reported to have started when Baraza refused to go through a routine security check.
Kerubo alleges that Baraza threatened to kill her with a gun during the incident.

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