We must jealously protect Judiciary independence - Lawyer Mumia

"Protecting Judicial independence from other arms of government is the core mandate of every stakeholder."

In Summary
  • To actualize this key role, Mumia avers that appointments in the Judiciary must be merit-based and reflect the face of Kenya.
  • Further, the advocate opines that adequate funding is key in helping the Judiciary run smoothly without hitches.
High Court Advocate Emmanuel Mumia.
High Court Advocate Emmanuel Mumia.
Image: HANDOUT

A stakeholder in the legal fraternity has called for the need to protect the Judiciary against interference by external forces.

High Court Advocate Emmanual Mumia told the Star that for the Judiciary to gain public trust, it must be independent in all its undertakings.

"Protecting Judicial independence from other arms of government is the core mandate of every stakeholder in the legal sector. We have not her key mandate than such," Mumia said.

To actualize this key role, Mumia avers that appointments in the Judiciary must be merit-based and reflect the face of Kenya.

Further, the advocate opines that adequate funding is key in helping the Judiciary run smoothly without hitches.

This, he said, will enable the Judiciary to employ enough staff and open new courts that will serve the needs of Kenyans.

"Also, embracing ICT within the Judiciary infrastructure is a step toward enhancing service delivery, especially on court recording and transcription. This can be achieved easily if funding is adequate," said Mumia.

Mumia is a seasoned advocate who has litigated several high-profile cases in the country.

"I have successfully handled procurement cases whose cumulative value is over Sh100 billion. They range from mega tenders on Construction of dams, roads including the Sagana Maua road, Information technology, infrastructure cases and for local and multinationals," he said.,

One of the major cases he has litigated is the Sh300 billion public-private partnership tender dispute for the proposed construction of a 140 MW Olkaria geothermal plant.

In the case, he played the centrifugal role from drafting the requisite pleadings to actual arguments before the tribunal that was chaired by Prof Githu Muigai.

Another high-profile case he has handled is the Sh10 billion tender for the rehabilitation of turbines at the Olkaria geothermal plant where he acted for Kengen.

Born and bred in a staunch catholic family, Mumia is an alumnus of Mother of Apostles Minor Seminary High School and Catholic University for Eastern Africa where he pursued undergraduate studies in law.

He is currently pursuing his master's at the University of Nairobi.

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