The absence of Judiciary representatives in local security organs could explain this institution’s feeling of exclusivity in the overall government agenda.
It could also explain why this important institution is aloof to the happenings in county and national government activities.
More often than not Kenyans’ contact with Judiciary is like an encounter of third kind.
Mostly, this happens when a citizen faces the law.
Once in a while, Kenyans get to joyfully interact with Judiciary when the latter administers oaths of office to appointed or elected officials, after which these important officers take a backseat “to deal with them perpendicularly at the bench”.
Although Judiciary has been trying hard to bridge the divide between itself and the public, the same cannot be said about its relationship with the other organs of government.
Essentially, when government institutions are not working in harmony, citizens are losers.
The little matter about the independence of constitutional bodies is also a big hindrance to the interdependence of arms of government.
It is gospel truth that unlike the other arms, the Judiciary has the tendency to absolutely embrace such constitutional independence.
In order to cure judicial floatness, it is high time this institution marries itself into government proper.
The starting point is to incorporate judicial officers into local and national security and other relevant committees, which is lacking at the moment.
Doing so will systematically socialise this crucial arm of government into mainstream governance system and thinking.
The biggest gain is citizens because judicial officers will appreciate and identify with the common man’s experiences.
Above all those judicial officers will climb down from ivory towers and back to reality that Kenyans cannot be largely juridicatured under jurisprudences that do not take into account African values and norms.
Finally, it is one thing sticking to the spirit and letter of law and another one applying the same realistically, fairly and justifiably.
This to me is the Judiciary of the people and for the people.
Kaunda wa Muchunku
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