CJ Koome graces UoN lecturer's book launch

Chief Justice Martha Koome on Wednesday presided over the launch of a book by Advocate of the High Court and University of Nairobi, School of Law lecturer Canon Dr Wamuti Ndegwa.

The book, titled, The Supreme Court Settles the Law, was edited by chartered arbitrator Dr Kenneth Wyne Mutuma.

It is a scholarly work on the jurisprudence of the Supreme Court post its establishment in 2007.

It unravels the inequalities and injustices that are produced in the system and highlights the principles that the Apex Court has modified to alleviate them.

Further, the book highlights the interpretations that the Supreme Court has given to various provisions of the Constitution.

Giving a public lecture before the launch, Koome commended Ndegwa and Mutuma, observing that the book was a challenge to have scholarly works exploring the different aspects of Kenyan law.

She urged students of law and Kenyans alike to read the book and know more about the proceedings and the laws of the Supreme Court.

"I urge all of us to read this publication to learn about the jurisprudence that has emerged from our Supreme Court and how the court has played a role in settling the law," she said.

On his part, Ndegwa explained the book's title saying, "because the word of the Supreme Court is final. The principle of law that is found at the Supreme Court binds all persons and all institutions in this country."

He appealed to lawyers to refer to the principles in the book while persuading the courts.

"Tell the court that the principle of the law is now settled by the Supreme Court, and you go to the decision, and you show the court," he added.

Ndegwa said he was inspired by CJ Koome's mission to transform the country into a social justice society by opening the doors of justice.

He said it began when he was assigned to preach about the injustices visited on the vulnerable members of society and what the court is doing about it.

He was told to premise the preaching on the Bible on Isaiah 1:17 which says:

 "Learn to do right; seek justice.    Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow."

"When you listen to that my Lady, you hear Your Ladyship's vision - Justice for the vulnerable," he said.

To answer the question, he was asked to preach on, he decided to begin with the Social transformation through Access to Justice (STAJ) vision and on the decisions of the Supreme Court.

The book was launched in two - Volume One and Volume Two.

In attendance was the first woman Judge retired Lady Justice Effie Owuor.

Below are some moments during the launch: