The 2011 Jurist Award was conferred to Justice Daniel Musinga at a colourful dinner hosted by ICJ Kenya at its premises in Kileleshwa. Present at the award ceremony included Judge Philip Waki, a past recipient of the award, Prof. Christian Roschman, country director, Konrad Adenuer Foundation , Mr. Glenn Warren, US Embassy and Judge Lee Muthoga, ICTR Judge amongst other distinguished guests.
Judge Musinga has been a distinguished jurist and was admitted as an advocate of the High Court of Kenya in 1988. He was appointed as a member of the tribunal to investigate the conduct of suspended high court judges in 2003 and in October the same year, he was formally appointed as a Judge of the High Court of Kenya. He was then posted in Nakuru and sat on the bench there until December 2007. He later sat on the bench at the High Court in Kisii between 2008 and 2010. Since his appointment, Judge Musinga has been involved in many high profile cases, including cases invalidating the elections of various MPs.
In November 2010, He was appointed a Judge at the Constitutional and Judicial Review Division in the High Court in Nairobi. During this time, he was involved in several notable decisions. He stepped in to permanently block the Interim Independent Boundaries Review Commission from publishing a list of new electoral constituencies. In 2010, Judge Musinga rendered a decision finding that the President had acted unconstitutionally when nominating individuals for key public offices, including the offices of Chief Justice and Attorney General.
Judge Musinga is currently serving as a Presiding Judge at the Commercial and Admiralty Division at the High Court in Nairobi since October 2011. Throughout, the 2011 eminent jurist has tirelessly and fearlessly shown commitment to the rule of law. His past decisions have helped assert the independence of the judiciary and have at all times aspired to uphold the Constitution, even in the face of considerable external pressure to do otherwise. Judge Musinga’s current initiatives are forward thinking, and will bring future benefits to the judicial processes and the legal system in Kenya generally.
These are the types of qualities all jurists aspire to, and are essential for promoting democratic principles in a free and open society. This is especially important now, during Kenya’s transitional period, which began in earnest with the creation of the new Constitution.
ICJ Kenya takes this opportunity to thank its staff members, members and partners for their commitment and support of the ideals of the organisation. ICJ Kenya will continuously support the independence of the Judiciary and calls upon men and women of Kenya in whatever capacity, to work in honesty and commitment for a better Kenya.
