The Supreme Court of Kenya stands out for its inspiring and bold decisions. The members of the Kenyan Supreme Court are nominated. This Supreme Court has made the fight against corruption a priority, ordering investigations and handing down firm rulings.
The Court also remains one of the few, if not the only, court on the African continent to have cancelled a presidential election due to irregularities, underlining its independence and commitment to justice. The Kenyan judiciary has frequently overturned executive decisions.
This Supreme Court plays a crucial role in regulating the political and institutional landscape, helping to establish a culture of judicial independence in Kenya through its many precedents. The President of the Supreme Court, Chief Justice David Maraga, delivered a historic verdict, annulling Uhuru Kenyatta’s victory in 2017 and ordering new presidential elections. According to the Supreme Court, the irregularities revealed in the transmission of the results were sufficient to cast doubt on the integrity of the poll. Uhuru Kenyatta’s re-election will be validated following free and transparent elections.
Before being appointed a High Court judge, David Maraga was a private law practitioner for 25 years, involved in civil and criminal litigation as well as property transfer cases. During this period, he also served as a judge at the commercial stands of the Nakuru Agricultural Show from 1985 to 1990.
In 2020, the Chief Justice of Kenya, David Maraga, called on President Uhuru Kenyatta to dissolve parliament because it did not have enough women.
Prior to his appointment as a High Court judge, David Maraga was a private legal practitioner for 25 years, engaged in civil and criminal litigation as well as conveyancing cases. He was a Resident Judge at the High Court of Kenya in Nakuru.
He stepped down in 2020 after reaching retirement age. On 25 April 2024, David Maraga addressed the problem of corruption in Kenya and recommended key reform measures, at the launch of the 3rd Ethics And Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) workshop for media practitioners.
In December 2023, Justice Emeritus received an honorary degree from Kabarak University, Kenya.
The Champion initiative’s judges nominated the Supreme Court under David Maraga (2016-2021) for the application of the ACDEG chapter on Democratic Institutions. Article 15 of the CADEG states: “State Parties shall ensure that the Constitution guarantees the independence or autonomy of the said institutions.”