Justice David Maraga legal love of his life has succeeded him as the Chief Justice, and the President of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Kenya. – By Henry Kimoli.
Justice Philomena Mbete Mwilu, the beautiful, unassuming and tough legal Deputy Chief Justice has taken over the reins of power at the third and most powerful arm of the Government.
If her abrasive past in the administration of justice is anything to go by, Mwilu will seek to substantively replace Maraga when the time comes.
However, to think that many people are uncomfortable with a Mwilu tenure at the Supreme Court is not a hypothesis. It has been demonstrated over time, by a powerful clique around the Government, and the deep state.
Forget about the people’s Chief Justice, one Okiya Omtata legal suits. Mwilu has real enemies. Here is why.
1. Uhuru succession
On or around November 26th, 2022, President Uhuru Kenyatta will retire from office.
The Chief Justice will fill the lacuna during the transition period, besides swearing whoever between Raila Odinga and DP William Ruto succeeds President Kenyatta.
This is the reality that the deep state has to face….a Mwilu presidency at the Supreme Court.
At that vantage position, Mwilu will preside over election petitions…including a possible second scalp between Ruto and Raila.
Mwilu once ruled in favor of Raila, and against Uhuruto, prompting the duo to swear a revisit.
Of course, Uhuruto revisited Mwilu…via DCI and DPP George Kinoti and Noordin Haji. Mwilu appears to have outsmarted both and looks set to succeed her boss Maraga.
2. The BBI Card
Mwilu comes from Makueni County, Raila Odinga’s vote basket. This is the county which in 2013 and 2017 gave Raila 99.9 percent of the Presidential vote.
Kamba political kingpin Kalonzo Musyoka, now a senior counsel is one of Mwilu’s lawyers. Apart from an advocate- client relationship, Kalonzo has time for Mwilu.
Then there is the influence of Mwilu’s professional mentor…Busia Senator Amos Wako. The former AG is an insider in ODM and a senior member of the Deep State operatives.
Wako is an experienced political fox, credited with sustaining the late President Daniel Moi in power during the infamous KANU days.
He is cozy with the powers that be…not very visible lately…but a lethal operative. He will want Mwilu to succeed Maraga to prove that he is a kingmaker per excellence. And reward Mwilu for all her troubles….during the supreme Court hearings of 2017.
3. Supreme Court ruling
This is the decision that gave Raila teeth to bite power from Uhuruto. Mwilu was the key cog in the matter.
She ruled against a sitting ruling President…the first time in Africa…a bold decision that put her in a collision course with the Government and which may as well buttress her claim to succeed Maraga.
4. GEMA vacuum
President Kenyatta is retiring. The GEMA political machine has not churned out a successor to Uhuru…not publicly.
With State House tenancy now a mirage…and Parliament controlled by the next president….the Judiciary remains the only viable arm…and leg in Government for GEMA…this, they will go for….take it to the bank.
The Court of Appeal falls under the CJ…and it determines election petitions….Can GEMA stay out of the Executive and judiciary??? Unlikely.
Attorney General Kihara Kariuki wants the job. And Central Kenya will back him to the hilt…
5. Kamba charm and Kalonzo magic
Two Kambas have dispensed justice in Kenya since independence.
The ambitious Kitili Mwendwa and bling flexing Willy Mutunga.
During the funeral of Nzamba Kitonga, Senator James Orengo hinted that a Kamba should succeed Maraga…alluding the community has produced outstanding lawyers.
It is the turn of the long distance traders to eat.
Add Kalonzo to the matrix. The wiper man is a key cog in Uhuru Succession. He has been hired as one of the lead soloists in the BBI reggae band…he is tasked to deliver Ukambani.
Kalonzo is not your idea of a political fool…he will therefore demand positions for self and party. Mwilu fits the bill.
Conclusion
Justice Mwilu is no pushover. She is the first senior woman to confirm she has a relationship with a married man.
She demonstrates a free spirit that few people can pretend to be. With no apologies. She will not shy away from abandoning a loser…as she did to her first husband.
Mwilu will one day want to revisit her tormentors…the men who tried her in the front pages of the Daily Nation…before she was embarrassingly hauled to Court.
Mwilu needs divine intervention to actualize her dreams..she is a staunch Roman Catholic….and attends Holy Mass discreetly on days of obligation.
