The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) is scheduled commence interviews for the thirty applicants shortlisted for the Court of Appeal judges’ posts on Monday, June 27.
The interviews had been postponed after the High Court prevented JSC from conducting them due to a suit filed by the Katiba Institute.
Moreover, JSC Chief Registrar Anne Amadi reported that four candidates will face the interviewers each day starting from 9am to 4pm.
Likewise, the shortlisted applicants include 22 serving judges among others. Besides, out of the 30 shortlisted applicants, only 6 will be appointed as Court of Appeal judges. Here is a list of some of the candidates.
Candidates Shortlisted by JSC
- Justice Lydia Achode
- Justice Alfred Mabeya
- Justices Abida Ali Aroni
- Eboso Benard Mweresa
- Githua Cecilia Wathaiya
- Kimaru Luka Kiprotich.
- Makau Onesmus Ndumbuthi
- Mativo John Mutinga
- Justice Meoli Christine Wanjiku
- Muchemi Florence Nyaguthii
- Musyoka William Musya
- Muthuku Francis Gikonyo
- Nduma Mathews Nderi
- Ngaah Jairus
- Ngenye Grace Wangui
- Ochieng’ Frederick Andago
- Ogola Eric Kennedy Okumu
- Okong’o Samson Odhiambo
- Ong’udi Hedwig Imbosa
- Radido Stephen Okiyo
- Sergon Joseph Kiplagat.
In addition, Katiba Institute had indicted JSC and Chief Justice Martha Koome to stop the employment of new judges. They made this move with the condition that the commission should first appoint to office the six judges left out of the 41 hired in a previous recruitment by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
At the same time, Justice Anthony Mrima argued that the Katiba Institute and co-petitioners had laid the legal basis to suspend the recruitment process conducted by the commission.
However, the orders were suspended by the Court of Appeal with a ruling that the lobby did not establish what bias they would suffer if the recruitment process ensued as planned.
Nevertheless, Justice Mrima’s decision was reversed by Justices Wanjiru Karanja, Agnes Murgor and Imaana Laibuta, who said the recruitment process should proceed simultaneously with the ongoing suit challenging it.
According to the judgement issued in June 23 2022, the above judges mentioned that the situation could be resolved in the event the 26 judges are hired and the process later challenged.
“We hold the view that the applicants have successfully demonstrated both arguability and the nugatory aspect, and bolstered this with a demonstration that it is in the public interest that the recruitment process of the much needed Judges proceed uninterrupted pending the hearing and determination of the petition before the High Court,” the bench ruled.
“If the appeal herein is unsuccessful or if ultimately the recruitment process is impugned by the final Court with requisite jurisdiction, then as held in the Tolphin case (supra), the situation is reversible,” the judges expounded.
Furthermore, Katiba Institute argued that president Uhuru Kenyatta was bound by the constitution to appoint all 41 judges JSC recommended.
