Former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga has slammed President Uhuru Kenyatta over his decision to reject the appointment of six judges last week.

According to Mutunga, President Kenyatta’s decision was driven by personal resentment and not principle.

Last week, the Uhuru declined to gazette names of the six, saying there were issues on their suitability.

High Court judges Joel Ngugi, George Odunga, Weldon Korir and Aggrey Muchelule as well as chief magistrate Evans Makori and High Court Registrar Judith Omange’s nominations were left out.

In a letter to President Kenyatta dated June 8 and which has hence gone viral, Mutunga says “the scientific formulation in the Constitution on the appointment of judges was intended to be an antidote to this kind of whimsical and capricious presidential conduct as is being seen in ugly display in this matter.”

“This is not the time to commence muck-racking adventures in a feeble and abominable attempt to besmirch the character of the  judges and judicial officers.”

The former CJ further accused the President of having a ‘list of hate’ and being stubborn.

“Strikingly, the presidential ‘list of hate’ has even mysteriously changed , meaning the objection to the judges is driven more by personal pique rather than principle. That is not the way to conduct the serious business of state,” he said.

Mutunga urged the president to immediately appoint the judges whom he called exceptional.

“The president must resist the temptation to be garlanded in the pettiness of preforming power, particularly by those who have built a thriving pettiness cottage industry, completely consumed by the pursuit of personal vendetta at the expense of national good,” he said.