Kenya: Supreme Court chief targeted for removal

By Andrew Wasike and Magdalene Mukami

NAIROBI, Kenya

A Kenyan ruling party MP is trying to oust the judge whose court frustrated the reelection of President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Claiming majority support among his fellow MPs, Ngunjiri Wambugu on Thursday filed a petition with Kenya's High Court to remove from office David Maraga, chief justice of the Supreme Court.

Maraga led the court in nullifying the results of the Aug. 8 presidential elections -- after Uhuru was declared the winner -- and ordering the holding of fresh polls on Oct. 17.

In his petition, the ruling Jubilee party MP accused Maraga of being influenced by various outside civil groups and lawyers in his ruling striking down the election.

The Kenya Magistrates and Judges Association (KMJA) immediately condemned the move.

Also condemning the petition was opposition leader Raila Odinga, saying, "We wish to call the bluff on Jubilee disowning the petition by its member to remove Chief Justice David Maraga.”

He called the petition a ruling party effort to intimidate and emasculate the judiciary before the Oct. 17 election.