Retired Justice Aaron Ringera has described as
"torturous"
his tenure as chair of the committee that conducted radical surgery on the judiciary.
Ringera said he regretted that judges who lost jobs in the process were not given chances to respond to accusations against them.
"Chairing the committee was a painful experience. I also blame the media for publishing names of affected persons," he said on Tuesday.
"I was shocked that the names of the judges and magistrates were splashed around without a hearing. Where did the press get the copy? It was completely wrong to publish names in the press without according them a hearing."
He made the comments when he faced the Judicial Service Commission panel interviewing candidates for the CJ position.
But the retired judge maintained
he had no regrets on the committee's resolution in 2003.
He said the action they took was based on the law
that applied at that time but said he would do things differently given a chance.
"It was not my deed or that of any member of my committee," he said. "Our committee in 2003 was not influenced by politics."
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Ringera said his application for the position formerly held by Willy Mutunga was motivated by excellence in jurisprudence and efficient administration.
"The judiciary is a key player not only in the administration of justice but also in the economic development of a country," he said. "There is also need to engage with other lines of communication without compromising the integrity of judiciary."
The retired justice said his public service endeavor has never been motivated by money and noted the government identified him as a good and resourceful public servant.
Ringera said he will stop practising law and become a dignified retiree.
"If I become Chief Justice, I will not leave to go anywhere. That will be the culmination of my achievement. I am absolutely committed to the rule of law. I treasure the independence of the judiciary," he said.
Ringera said Kenyans will remember him for institutionalising good governance in the judiciary.
"I get along with people. I am a consensus builder. I am not a dictator or laissez-faire," he said.
Ringera was born in 1950 and holds Bachelor of Laws and Masters degrees from the university of Nairobi.
He served as a judge of the High Court and Court of Appeal of Kenya between 1994-2004 and as the Solicitor General of Kenya from 1996 to 1999.
Ringera was CEO of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Authority (1999-2000) and director and CEO of the defunct Kenya Anti- Corruption Commission (2004-2009).
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