Former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Ahmed Hassan Issack has been shortlisted for the position of the Court of Appeal Judge by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
Hassan has been named among 41 other candidates who applied for eleven vacancies as Judges of the Court of Appeal at the commission.
According to the chairperson of the commission, Chief Justice Martha Koome, 82 candidates applied for the jobs by February 29.
However, JSC reviewed the applications for completeness and conformity with the requirements for the positions and narrowed down to the listed candidates.
“On 9th February 2024 the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) invited applications for eleven (11) vacancies from qualified persons wishing to be considered for appointment to the position of Judges of the Court of Appeal.
“At the close of the advertisement on 29th February 2024 a total of 82 applications were received. The JSC having reviewed the applications for completeness and conformity with the requirements as set out in the advertisement, shortlisted 41 candidates,” JSC stated.
Following the shortlist of candidates, the Judicial Service Commission indicated that it will be conducting interviews for the posts of Judge of the Court of Appeal between June 3, and June 20.
Also Read: JSC Announces 91 Job Vacancies for Kenyans; How to Apply
Chebukati Misses the JSC List
On the other hand, former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Wafula Chebukati, who also applied for the positions, was not among the shortlisted names.
Earlier in February, Azimio leader Raila Odinga hinted that President William Ruto was planning to make Chebukati the Chief Justice before the 2027 general elections.
However, Prime Cabinet Secretary (CS) Musalia Mudavadi has responded to claims saying that JSC was independent and had the right to recruit anybody who qualified to be a judge in Kenya.
Further, Mudavadi explained that it was wrong for the Azimio leadership to start determining who the JSC ought to recruit.
“You cannot tell us that a son of the soil in this area if they are interested whether it is Chebukati or someone else if he puts his bid for the position of a judge that is the responsibility of the JSC not that of politicians to try and direct JSC,
“This kind of contradictions are not acceptable, therefore let’s stand strong so that we can move forward,” he said.
Raila Predicts Appointment of Ex IEBC Chair
In a statement on February 2, Raila said that President William Ruto had floated names to the JSC for appointment as court of appeal judges, noting that former IEBC Chairman Ahmed Isaac Hassan was on the list.
According to him, former IEBC Chairman Ahmed Isaac Hassan would then be appointed chief justice in preparation for the 2027 General elections.
“In that agreement, the five High Court Judges and two Court of Appeal Judges will be for Mr Ruto to forward to the JSC. And he floated the names.
“Immediate former IEBC Chairman Mr. Wafula Chebukati and former IEBC Chairman Ahmed Isaac Hassan are to be appointed as Court of Appeal judges with Chebukati be later elevated as the Chief Justice before 2027 General elections,” read part of the statement.
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