After four years in his five year term as the chief Justice of Kenya, Dr. Willy Mutunga has called it a career and announced his retirement early in advance to allow enough time for the process of getting a new CJ.
Mutunga who delivered his farewell speech was praised by many people following his decision to retire so as not to contradict the constitution requirements that directs that deny serving judge to retire at age of 70 years.
As if in juxtaposition, the CJ marked his 69th year birthday.During his farewell address to the August House, Mutunga pointed out that Senate should not just debate but deliberate on national issues ‘which transcend mere party or regional interests’.
“The place of the Senate in the future of this country will only be secured when it acts and behaves like the Upper House it was supposed to be,” he said.
The retiring CJ went on to hand over his official car flag to CRJ Anne Amadi, as a sign to indicate that it was finally done and over and also handed over the Supreme Court flag to Justice Mohamed Ibrahim.
The CJ has had a taste for slag language and he could not leave his fans sad.“Thanks tweeps kwa jumbe zenu za hbd na za ku retire na sio ku expire, wacha Chief Jajiko aji prepare kuelekea Kotiko. #AdiosCJMutunga,” the CJ tweeted.
Mutunga pointed out that the Senate should not just debate but deliberate on national issues “which transcend mere party or regional interests”.
“I am glad that the Senate, for most part, even when it has disagreed with the courts decisions, have not yelled or hectored too much at the judges. It has, instead, accepted or appealed those decisions,” he said.The CJ leaves office by taking a leap in the history books as the first judge.