Justice Maraga’s firm belief in God was evident in the courtroom as he started reading the court’s decision by affirming his fear of God.

“The greatness of any nation is determined by its fidelity to the Constitution, adherence to the rule of law and above all fear of God,” he said in his opening remarks. Yesterday, CJ Maraga attended a church service at Nairobi Central SDA in Milimani as he always does. He was with his wife, Yucabeth Nyaboke, on his side as the sermon was delivered. He did not address the congregation and he also declined a request to field questions from journalists who were at the church. “I am sorry, I don’t give any speeches on Sabbath,” Maraga told yours truly as he left the church.

Nairobi Women Representative Esther Passaris, though not an Adventist, was among the surprise guests during the service.

God’s will, passion for justice drive me always - Justice Maraga said

“In obedience to God’s Command and Will, and guided by the Constitution, to serve humanity, and Kenyans in particular, with dedication, honesty and integrity, striving at all times to uphold the rule of law and do justice to all.” This was David Maraga’s objective when he presented his CV before the Judicial Service Commission interview panel a year ago for the post of Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court, which he now holds.

A staunch Seventh Day Adventist (SDA), the CJ has set a record as the first judge, with his other three colleagues, to nullify an election of a serving African Head of State. He was born on January 12, 1951, in present day Nyamira County. Married with three children, Maraga describes himself as an elder and one of the Bible-Study leaders of the SDA Church.

Justice Maraga "I have never taken bribe"

Justice Maraga surprised many during the panel to vet judges and magistrates when he swore with a Bible that he had never taken a bribe in his life as a judge. “Get me that Bible. In the name of God and the creator of the entire universe, I have never taken a bribe and I will never take a bribe,” he told a stunned Judges and Magistrates Vetting Board chairman Sharad Rao and his members.

“At his interview with the Board, the Judge made a confident, forceful and dignified impression. The Board received positive reports from the legal profession in the Rift Valley, who complimented the Judge on his punctuality, seriousness with which he approached cases, and his control of the courtroom,” read a report by the board. As a senior legal professional with extensive experience in the Bar and on the Bench, and with a nascent but growing interest in academia, CJ Maraga was admitted to the Roll of Advocates 39 years ago, and has served as judge of Kenya’s two Superior Courts for over 14 years.

He holds a Master of Laws Degree (LLM) from the University of Nairobi; a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB) from the same University, and a Diploma in Legal Practice from the Kenya School of Law, leading to his admission onto the Roll of Advocates in October 1978. He is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, London and the Law Society of Kenya. Both in legal practice and on the Bench the CJ has made a significant contribution to local and international jurisprudence as demonstrated in the Anguka, Julie Ward, Choge and Mohammed Harshi Cases, among others detailed herein below. “As at 2012, about twenty five (25) of my judgments had been reported by the National Council for Law Reporting and many more are pending publication,” he says.