{"id":35051,"date":"2022-08-22T11:51:29","date_gmt":"2022-08-22T11:51:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/?p=35051"},"modified":"2022-08-22T11:51:29","modified_gmt":"2022-08-22T11:51:29","slug":"kenyas-first-female-chief-justice-to-preside-over-election-petition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/index.php\/2022\/08\/22\/kenyas-first-female-chief-justice-to-preside-over-election-petition\/","title":{"rendered":"Kenya&#8217;s first female chief justice to preside over election petition"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> [ad_1]<\/p>\n<div>\n<p data-testid=\"paragraph-0\" class=\"text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__large__nEccO body__base__22dCE body__large_body__FV5_X article-body__element__2p5pI\">NAIROBI, Aug 22 (Reuters) &#8211; In a country once known for political interference in the judiciary, Kenya&#8217;s Chief Justice Martha Koome is no pushover: she built her career defending dissidents, and this year her court torpedoed constitutional changes proposed by the president who appointed her.<\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"paragraph-1\" class=\"text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__large__nEccO body__base__22dCE body__large_body__FV5_X article-body__element__2p5pI\">But her own reputation for independence and fairness is on trial after opposition leader Raila Odinga filed a Supreme Court case on Monday seeking to overturn the results of the Aug. 9 presidential election.<\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"paragraph-2\" class=\"text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__large__nEccO body__base__22dCE body__large_body__FV5_X article-body__element__2p5pI\">The election commission is split: the chairman announced that Deputy President William Ruto won by about 233,000 votes, but four out of the seven commissioners dissented, saying results were not aggregated correctly. Kenya&#8217;s largest civil society election observation group says its count supports the chairman. <a target=\"_blank\" data-testid=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/africa\/kenya-braces-legal-battle-after-ruto-declared-president-elect-2022-08-16\/\" class=\"text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__medium__1kbOh text__large__nEccO link__underline_default__2prE_\" rel=\"noopener\"> read more <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"registration-prompt__container__2jf5K registration-prompt__inline__2WDU- article-body__element__2p5pI article-body__inline-registration-prompt__1-N9W\">\n<div class=\"registration-prompt__text-content__o0YET\">\n<h5 data-testid=\"Heading\" class=\"text__text__1FZLe text__white__3r45t text__medium__1kbOh text__heading_5__2krbj heading__base__2T28j heading__heading_5__2A2g- registration-prompt__heading__3fq-h\">Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com<\/h5>\n<p><button data-testid=\"Button\" class=\"button__button__2Ecqi button__secondary__18moI button__round__1nYLA text-button__container__3q3zX registration-prompt__button-text__3kTtQ\" type=\"button\"><\/p>\n<p><span data-testid=\"Text\" class=\"text__text__1FZLe text__inherit-color__3208F text__bold__2-8Kc text__default__UPMUu text-button__medium__113uZ\">Register<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-testid=\"paragraph-3\" class=\"text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__large__nEccO body__base__22dCE body__large_body__FV5_X article-body__element__2p5pI\">Any perceived misstep in the ruling by Koome or the six judges she presides over could damage public faith in the judiciary and imperil the peaceful transfer of power in East Africa&#8217;s richest and most stable nation.<\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"paragraph-4\" class=\"text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__large__nEccO body__base__22dCE body__large_body__FV5_X article-body__element__2p5pI\">The dispute has raised tensions in a nation with a history of deadly election disputes.<\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"paragraph-5\" class=\"text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__large__nEccO body__base__22dCE body__large_body__FV5_X article-body__element__2p5pI\">&#8220;We urge the judiciary to remain an impartial arbiter,&#8221; the Angaza Movement, a Kenyan civic and human rights consortium, said on Friday, adding the &#8220;tranquillity and peace of the nation&#8221; depended upon it.<\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"paragraph-6\" class=\"text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__large__nEccO body__base__22dCE body__large_body__FV5_X article-body__element__2p5pI\">The stakes are also high for the judges themselves: when Kenya&#8217;s Supreme Court nullified the 2017 election results, judges faced a torrent of abuse, were called &#8220;crooks&#8221; by the president and one of their bodyguards was shot and injured.<\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"paragraph-7\" class=\"text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__large__nEccO body__base__22dCE body__large_body__FV5_X article-body__element__2p5pI\">Koome, appointed in May 2021 by outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta, has a reputation for integrity.<\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"paragraph-8\" class=\"text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__large__nEccO body__base__22dCE body__large_body__FV5_X article-body__element__2p5pI\">Months after her appointment, she quashed broad constitutional reforms backed by both Odinga and Kenyatta, which were widely seen as an attempt to sideline Ruto. Kenyatta fell out with Ruto after the 2017 elections and formed an alliance with Odinga. <a target=\"_blank\" data-testid=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/africa\/kenyas-top-court-issue-final-ruling-presidents-constitutional-changes-2022-03-31\/\" class=\"text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__medium__1kbOh text__large__nEccO link__underline_default__2prE_\" rel=\"noopener\"> read more <\/a><\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"paragraph-9\" class=\"text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__large__nEccO body__base__22dCE body__large_body__FV5_X article-body__element__2p5pI\">Koome&#8217;s ruling prompted praise even from critics like Ahmednasir Abdullahi, a lawyer who has frequently questioned Koome&#8217;s independence and who supports Ruto.<\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"paragraph-10\" class=\"text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__large__nEccO body__base__22dCE body__large_body__FV5_X article-body__element__2p5pI\">&#8220;On the whole, good judgment by the Supreme Court,&#8221; he tweeted, praising Koome and a second judge for being &#8220;outstanding in their reasoning&#8221;.<\/p>\n<h2 data-testid=\"Heading\" class=\"text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__medium__1kbOh text__heading_5__2krbj heading__base__2T28j heading__heading_5__2A2g-\">CHALLENGING POWER<\/h2>\n<p data-testid=\"paragraph-11\" class=\"text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__large__nEccO body__base__22dCE body__large_body__FV5_X article-body__element__2p5pI\">In 2017, the Supreme Court became the first African court to scrap the re-election victory of a sitting president, after it annulled on procedural grounds results giving Kenyatta a second term. Kenyatta won the rerun after Odinga boycotted it.<\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"paragraph-12\" class=\"text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__large__nEccO body__base__22dCE body__large_body__FV5_X article-body__element__2p5pI\">Four of those judges remain on the Court. The chief justice retired and Koome replaced him.<\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"paragraph-13\" class=\"text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__large__nEccO body__base__22dCE body__large_body__FV5_X article-body__element__2p5pI\">Koome &#8211; who has 34 years of legal experience &#8211; cut her teeth representing political detainees like Odinga when he protested against state repression in the 1980s and 90s.<\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"paragraph-14\" class=\"text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__large__nEccO body__base__22dCE body__large_body__FV5_X article-body__element__2p5pI\">In Odinga&#8217;s stronghold of Kisumu, faith in the courts helps keep protesters off the streets.<\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"paragraph-15\" class=\"text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__large__nEccO body__base__22dCE body__large_body__FV5_X article-body__element__2p5pI\">&#8220;Many years ago \u2026 courts seemed to be controlled by the government. But today&#8217;s courts have come out to be more independent,&#8221; said carpenter Meshack Nyamema.<\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"paragraph-16\" class=\"text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__large__nEccO body__base__22dCE body__large_body__FV5_X article-body__element__2p5pI\">Koome, 62, is already a trailblazer: her appointment made her the first female head of any Kenyan branch of government. She often discusses her Christianity and liberal social views.<\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"paragraph-17\" class=\"text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__large__nEccO body__base__22dCE body__large_body__FV5_X article-body__element__2p5pI\">One of 18 children from a polygamous family of subsistence farmers, Koome co-founded and chaired the Federation of Women Lawyers. It campaigns for women&#8217;s rights, offers poor women free legal services and contributed to a landmark 2010 constitution that guaranteed women new rights.<\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"paragraph-18\" class=\"text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__large__nEccO body__base__22dCE body__large_body__FV5_X article-body__element__2p5pI\">In another departure from orthodoxy, in 2019 she supported a ruling that it was not illegal to identify as gay. Gay sex is punishable by 14 years in jail.<\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"paragraph-19\" class=\"text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__large__nEccO body__base__22dCE body__large_body__FV5_X article-body__element__2p5pI\">This May, Koome used a national prayer breakfast to warn against settling election disputes on the streets.<\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"paragraph-20\" class=\"text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__large__nEccO body__base__22dCE body__large_body__FV5_X article-body__element__2p5pI\">&#8220;I pray for those who might be tempted to divide our nation for their selfish reasons,&#8221; she said. &#8220;This country belongs to everyone, and not just politicians.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"registration-prompt__container__2jf5K registration-prompt__inline__2WDU- article-body__element__2p5pI\">\n<div class=\"registration-prompt__text-content__o0YET\">\n<h5 data-testid=\"Heading\" class=\"text__text__1FZLe text__white__3r45t text__medium__1kbOh text__heading_5__2krbj heading__base__2T28j heading__heading_5__2A2g- registration-prompt__heading__3fq-h\">Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com<\/h5>\n<p><button data-testid=\"Button\" class=\"button__button__2Ecqi button__secondary__18moI button__round__1nYLA text-button__container__3q3zX registration-prompt__button-text__3kTtQ\" type=\"button\"><\/p>\n<p><span data-testid=\"Text\" class=\"text__text__1FZLe text__inherit-color__3208F text__bold__2-8Kc text__default__UPMUu text-button__medium__113uZ\">Register<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span data-testid=\"Text\" class=\"text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__default__UPMUu sign-off__text__PU3Aj\">Reporting by Duncan Miriri; Additional reporting by Ayenat Mersie; Editing by Katharine Houreld, William Maclean<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"Body\" class=\"text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__large__nEccO body__base__22dCE body__large_body__FV5_X article-body__element__2p5pI\">Our Standards: <a target=\"_blank\" data-testid=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thomsonreuters.com\/en\/about-us\/trust-principles.html\" class=\"text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__medium__1kbOh text__large__nEccO link__underline_default__2prE_\" rel=\"noopener\">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[ad_2]<br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/africa\/kenyas-first-female-chief-justice-preside-over-election-petition-2022-08-22\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[ad_1] NAIROBI, Aug 22 (Reuters) &#8211; In a country once known for political interference in&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":35052,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-35051","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cj-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35051","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35051"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35051\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":35053,"href":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35051\/revisions\/35053"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/35052"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35051"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35051"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35051"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}