CHIEF Justice Willy Mutunga has declined to preside over the launch of a book written by former Coalition and Constitutional Affairs advisor Miguna Miguna.

Mutunga was to launch the book "Peeling Back the Mask; A Quest for Justice in Kenya" on July14 at the Intercontinental hotel in Nairobi. "The Chief Justice believes that it would not be prudent for him to confirm that he will officiate at the launch of a book he has neither seen nor read. It is in this regard that he has declined Mr Miguna's invitation," a press statement from the CJ's office said.

According to the statement, the CJ had requested to see a copy of the book before deciding whether or not he would accept to officiate as chief guest at the launch event. Mutunga agreed to receive a copy on July 6, and according to his email to Miguna yesterday 'before I could reply, you publicly announced that I [would] launch your book.'

He said he can launch books in his personal and official capacity but in each instance, the right processes must be followed. But Miguna maintains that the CJ had already accepted the invite: "I guess he succumbed to pressure. I understand and empathize with Willy but the launch shall proceed."