Vibrant social media activity by US-based law lecturer Prof Makau Mutua and a biased stand against one political side returned to haunt him yesterday when he appeared for an interview for the position of Kenya’s Chief Justice.
Mutua, who poured unfettered criticism on the 2013 election victory of President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto, made a dramatic about-turn and renounced his widely publicised stance.
The controversial don admitted he genuinely disagreed with the unanimous verdict by the seven-member Supreme Court Bench in favour of the Jubilee flag-bearer, but added he respected the outcome of the twin presidential election petitions lodged by Cord presidential candidate Raila Odinga and the African Centre for Open Governance (Africog).
The University of New York professor conceded he wrote on social media he did not recognise the legitimacy of Uhuru’s assumption of office. “It was an expression of free thought in a democratic society. I was convinced I was right. I cannot take it back,” he told the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) during his interview for the top Judiciary job.
“My tweet about President Kenyatta was basically personal. I was expressing my view during that particular time. I have never disputed that Kenyatta was declared the presidential winner and was confirmed to office by the Supreme Court, my statement notwithstanding,” Prof Mutua said during his intensive five-hour interview by the panel sitting at the Supreme Court Library.
He said, as part of his international assignments on human rights, he trained ICC investigators and prosecutors. “I have never been an intermediary for the ICC. I did not procure witnesses or provide safe passage for witnesses for the Kenyan cases. You would have known about it,” he answered Attorney General Githu Muigai.
“I want to assure the JSC and all Kenyans that I will not have trouble working with President Kenyatta. I am a responsible, professional and distinguished scholar. I have complete fidelity to the law and the Constitution,” he added.
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