Maraga's name was met with a huge and thunderous applause
from his fellow peers across the globe after he was introduced at the
conference in Tanzania.
The reaction was an ominous sign of the respect that Kenya's
Chief Justice wields not only across the continent but also worldwide following
the historic ruling by the Supreme Court that nullified President Uhuru
Kenyatta's win during the August 8 elections.
At the conference, Maraga, 66, was given a special mention
before the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges.
"We are deeply honoured by your presence - Hon Chief
Justice Maraga," the host, Tanzania Chief Justice Ibrahim Juma said.
However, Maraga declined to give an interview to the battery
of journalists who were eager to hear from him after the landmark ruling.
Maraga and three other Supreme Court judges made history in
the electoral sphere as the only fourth country to have a presidential election
nullified by the courts.
Other countries that have had presidential elections
nullified are Austria and the Maldives, an island nation in the Indian Ocean.
In Africa, the Supreme Court ruling declaring President
Uhuru Kenyatta’s re-election null and void was the first of its kind.
Maraga holds a master’s degree in Law from the University of
Nairobi and an LLB (Second Class Lower division) from the same institution.
Justice Maraga, 66, graduated as a lawyer 40 years ago from
the University of Nairobi, before going into private practice.
He was appointed a judge in 2003 and rose to join the Court
of Appeal in 2012.
An alumni of Kisii High School and the famous Maranda High
School, the CJ is also a member of several professional bodies including
the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, London.
He is married and has three children.
