Post of CJ advertised

Written By:Diana Okwema,    Posted: Fri, Mar 04, 2011

Evan Gicheru term expired last week

The Judicial Service Commission Friday advertised the  posts of Chief Justice and the Deputy CJ. 

This comes days after the President directed the commission to carry out its mandate in the appointment the two top judicial officers.

Applicants are required to hold a law degree from a recognized university, posses at least 15 years experience as a Superior Court Judge and have a moral character, integrity and impartiality.

The CJ will head the Judiciary, preside over the yet to be instituted Supreme Court, convene and chair the JSC meetings and be the link between the Judiciary and other arms of government.

Also expected of the CJ is to assign duties to his or her deputy, to the President of the Court of Appeal, the Principal Judge of the High Court and the Registrar of the Judiciary.
Other duties include giving annual report on the state of the Judiciary and the administration of Justice in the nation, exercising general direction and control over the Judiciary, chairing the National Council on Administration of Justice, oversee the management and administration of the Judiciary Fund and discharging of any other functions as required by the laws of Kenya.
The deputy CJ's work is to deputise the CJ, be the Vice-President of the Supreme Court, be responsible to the CJ in the exercise of the duties assigned to him or her and discharge any other functions as required by the laws of Kenya.
The advert in the Friday's local dailies says: "In addition to the above qualifications, the candidates must have demonstrated to a high degree of professional competence, communication skills, fairness, good temperament, making good judgments in both legal and life experiences, and commitment to public and community service".
The International Commission of Jurists Executive Director George Kegoro welcomed the advertisement saying the requirements are in line with the constitution that advocates for public participation in constitutional jobs.

JSC has directed interested candidates to send their application letters and detailed CVs to the Secretary of the Commission within 21 days from the day of advertisement.

The President had previously nominated Alnashir Visram as the new CJ but a row ensued forcing him to withraw his list of nominees.

Others whose nominations were withdrawn following the sharp controversy are Githu Muigai who had been nominated as the Attorney General, Kioko Kilukumi as the Director of Public Prosecutions and William Kirwa as the Controller of Budget.

President Mwai Kibaki tasked the Commission with the process of identifying the next CJ to replace Evan Gicheru whose term expired last week February 27 as stipulated in the new Constitution.

This is the first time the country is advertising the posts.