Sports Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Zack Kinuthia has caused a stir after he proposed that judges should be elected by the people.

According to Kinuthia, who was speaking during the Mizani Awards for elected leaders, this would ensure they are answerable to the people in every decision they make in the courts.

The controversial CAS argued that judges, especially those in the High Court, should be elected by citizens just like Presidents, Governors, Parliamentarians and other leaders.

“If we can elect and de-elect Didmus Barasa, if we can install in office Tim Wanyonyi and remove him in office…..if we can go through that route, we must ask today that even judges from the level of High Court must also be elected by the people, so that they are also accountable,” he said.

He added, “All over the world presidents shake towards elections, because they have to be accountable once again to the people. Why can’t we also hold judges accountable to the people? They can wake up and make mad decisions!”

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Five-judge bench that nullified BBI process. PHOTO/COURTESY

He spoke as he opposed the decision of a five-judge bench of the High Court to nullify the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) referendum process last week terming it unconstitutional.

“I disagree on principle with the ruling of the High Court and I urge the Attorney General and Solicitor General to move quickly, ask for a Stay Order, and overturning of it, then IEBC should declare a day for referendum then tuingie uwanja tukatafute kura ya referendum.”

However, Kinuthia’s suggestion was not welcomed well with a cross section of social media users in Kenya bashing him for seeking to have Justices elected by the people directly.