Chief Justice (CJ) Martha Koome has revoked Gazette Notices declaring vacancies for 11 judges in the Court of Appeal and five judges in the High Court of Kenya.
In a Gazette Notice dated January 17, 2025, Koome also nullified a prior notice that listed 82 applicants, 41 shortlisted candidates, and the interview schedule for the positions.
However, CJ Koome did not provide a specific reason for the revocation of the vacancies,
“It is notified for information of the general public that the following Gazette Notices declaring vacancies in the Offices of Judges of the Superior Courts have been revoked,” read the notice in part.
The notice added, “Gazette Notice No. 1076 of 30th January 2024 declaring eleven (11) vacancies in the Office of Judge of the Court of Appeal and Gazette Notice No. 4932 of 22nd April 2024 listing applicants, shortlisted candidates and interview schedule.
Gazette Notice No. 1271 of 5th February 2024 declaring five (5) vacancies in the Office of Judge of the High Court of Kenya.”
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Koome Revokes 41 Shortlisted Candidates to Fill 11 Vacancies
Koome had declared vacant positions for eleven judges of the Court of Appeal in Gazette notice dated January 30 saying they would serve until they attain the retirement age of 65 years (for early retirees) or 70 years as stipulated in the law.
“Pursuant to section 30 of the Judicial Service Act and section 3 Part II of the First Schedule, of the Judicial Service Act (No. 1 of 2011), I, Martha K. Koome, Chief Justice of the Republic of Kenya, for and on behalf of the Judiciary of Kenya, declare vacancies in the Office of Judge of the Court of Appeal of the Republic of Kenya,” reads part of the Gazette notice.
“Job details: Ref: V/No. 2/2024 Job title: Judge of the Court of Appeal Number of posts: Eleven (11) posts Tenure of office: Retirement at the age of seventy (70) years with the option for early retirement after attaining the age of sixty –five (65) years in accordance with Article 167(1) of the Constitution.”
The judges were to work at the Court of Appeal of Kenya, with specific functions including hearing appeals from the High Court and from any other court or tribunal as prescribed by an Act of Parliament.
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) would later shortlist 41 candidates for consideration for 11 Court of Appeal judge posts in April 22.
Additionally, the interviews were scheduled for June 3 and June 20, 2024.
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Vacancies of High Court Judges Revoked
Meanwhile, in a Gazette Notice published on February 5, Chief Justice Martha Koome declared five vacancies in the High Court.
“Pursuant to Section 30 of the Judicial Service Act and section 3 Part II of the First Schedule, of the Judiciary Act 2011, I Martha K. Koome, Chief Justice of the Republic of Kenya, for and on behalf of the Judiciary of Kenya, declare vacancies in the Office of Judge of the High Court of the Republic of Kenya,” the notice read.
The applicants were required to hold a law degree from a recognized university or be an Advocate of the High Court. Alternatively, they were to possess an equivalent qualification in a Common Law jurisdiction and have at least 10 years of experience as a superior court judge or a professionally qualified magistrate.
The High Court judges were to enjoy benefits, including a gross monthly remuneration package ranging from Ksh750,000 to Ksh1,029,691.
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