Court of Appeal overrule High Court orders blocking judges’ interviews
Judges of the Court of Appeal and the High Court were relieved today when the Court of Appeal overturned a bar on them interviewing more than 100 successful job applicants.
Justice Antony Mrima had stopped the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) from conducting interviews with 135 applicants which was slated from Monday next week.
Judges Wanjiru Karanja, Agnes Murgor, and Imaana Laibuta of the Appeal Court, however, held aside the order pending the outcome of an appeal brought by Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and Chief Justice Martha Koome.
The judges found that the Katiba Institute and other petitioners had failed to show what bias they would face if the recruitment procedure went ahead as planned.
For the vacancies of judges of the court of appeal and the JSC had shortlisted candidates for interviews earlier this month.
Justice Mrima had issued interim orders prohibiting JSC from taking any further action, including inviting, considering, evaluating, deliberating, or interviewing, applicants for appointment to the court of appeal and a high court.
Mrima has stated that while there is a need for more judges, in the superior courts, the recruiting process must be compliant with the constitution, or it will be a waste of time.
The Katiba Institute has sued Koome and JSC, requesting that the recruitment of new judges be halted until the 6 judges were appointed.
