BY SAM ALFAN.
Kibera magistrate Derrick Kuto has been elected the President of Kenya Judges and Magistrates Association becoming it’s first chief.
Kuto, the former Secretary General of KJMA beat High Court judge Patrick Otieno to head the association.
Kuto was elected overwhelmingly by judges, magistrates and Kadhi’s by garnering 292 Votes against Justice Otieno’s 110 votes.
The magistrate immediately congratulated his competitor and the judicial officers for having faith in him.
Deputy Registrar Caroline Kendagor was elected Vice President unopposed, while Ekhubi Benmark was elected the association Secretary General. He garnered 230 votes against his rival Tom Olando who managed to get 176 votes.
Ekhubi formerly served as the association Treasurer.
Kadhi Randu was elected vice Secretary General while Charles Ondieki was elected the Treasurer and Renee Kitagwa was elected Vice Teeasurer of the association.
The event was held at a Naivasha Hotel.
During his tenure as the SG, Kuto took on the government over the welfare of judges and Magistrates and constant attacks from the executive.
Kuto was vocal especially over the arrest of judges, which he termed as an assault on judicial independence.
In 2019, Kuto expressed concerns about the sustained and ill-advised public attacks and “directives” against the Judiciary as well as individual Judges and Magistrates.
“There is a wrong narrative being paddled that judiciary and judicial officers are an impediment in the war against corruption. That is far from the truth,” said Kutto.
Kuto also said Judges and Magistrates decide on cases based on evidence placed before court and the applicable law.
