The search for the new Chief Justice kicks off today
The search for the country’s new Chief Justice officially kicks off morning with Justice Chitembwe Said Juma set to face the interviewing panel beginning 9 am.
The shortlisted candidates are expected to spend about four hours before the panel, as they argue their case as to why they believe they are the most suited, in an exercise that will be held at the Supreme Court Buildings and which will come to a close on Friday 23rd April 2021.
The eleven-member committee of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) is chaired by Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu.
“We have undertaken all the arrangements to make sure that when we begin on Monday, we are ready,” Secretary to Commission and Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Anne Amadi told a news conference yesterday ahead of the scheduled interviews which will end in April 23, 2021.
The position of Chief Justice was left vacant following the retirement of Justice David Maraga.
Maraga, whose tenure in office had been characterised by persistent feuds with the Executive after he annulled President Uhuru Kenyatta’s presidential victory in 2017, exited office on attaining the mandatory retirement age of 70.
Maraga handed over the instruments of power to Mwilu who is holding the position on an acting basis until a substantive Chief Justice is appointed.
Other candidates to be interviewed for the position of Chief Justice include Justice Martha Koome, Justice M’inoti Kathurima, Justice Nduma Nderi, Lumumba Nyaberi, Justice William Ouko, Justice Joseph Sergon and Alice Yano.
The new Chief Justice will be Kenya’s 15 and third under the 2010 Constitution.
The interviews for the position of Supreme Court Judge are scheduled to begin in April 26, 2021.
Those shortlisted candidates for the Supreme Court judge position include Justice Said Chitembwe, Justice Martha Koome, Justice M’inoti Kathurima, Justice Nduma Nderi, Lumumba Nyaberi, Justice William Ouko, Justice Joseph Sergon and Alice Yano.
The position of the Supreme Court Judge was left vacant following the retirement of Justice Jackton Ojwang who retired in February 2020.
Two candidates will be appearing before the commission each day, with one to be interviewed in the morning and another in the afternoon.
