Senior Counsel Fred Ngatia has dismissed fears that his closeness to President Uhuru Kenyatta might interfere with the independence of the Judiciary should he become the next Chief Justice.
Ngatia on Tuesday told the Judicial Service Commission panel that though he is happy to have represented the head of state, their relationship ended at the case.
“I was appointed in 2013 to lead a team for which I am forever grateful and in 2017 I was appointed to do the same. Despite acting for the president-elect, I went back to my private practice,” Ngatia said.
On the perception that he is close to Uhuru having represented him twice in the presidential election petition, Ngatia said, that was just a client like any other and has not in any way tried to influence him or interfere with his decisions.
“The President has at no time tried to interfere or influence me in any decision I had done,” he said.
He urged the commission to look at him in a wholistic manner without discriminating against him because of representing the head of state.
“No Kenyan properly informed will see me as being influenced by the President. I have worked for condemned prisoners as well as many other Kenyans and I am not in any way influenced. Do not discriminate against me for the clients I have acted for,” said Ngatia.
The Senior Counsel said he will want to be remembered as the CJ who will not only clear the backlog of cases but also ensure expeditious disposal of cases.
He gave an example of Singapore where he wants to borrow from.
“Singapore had a huge backlog of cases and. Within four years they did overcome that backlog and simultaneously put in place a system I am craving for which ensured cases are being dealt with in good time,” Ngatia said.