Kibaki, Raila to discuss JSC nominees

President Mwai Kibaki (right) and Prime Minister Raila Odinga outside Sagana State Lodge after holding talks on August 20, 2008. The Judicial Service Commission on May 13, 2011 nominated lawyers Willy Mutunga and Nancy Barasa (inset) for the positions of Chief Justice and Deputy Chief Justice. Their names are to be forwarded by the two principals to Parliament for approval. Photo/FILE

By NATION TEAM newsdesk@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Sunday, May 15 2011 at 22:30

President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga are scheduled to meet this week to discuss the nominations to top Judiciary posts.

The principals will further deliberate on the appointment of Director of Public Prosecutions where they will pick one of the three nominees selected on Saturday.

It is still unclear if the two leaders will discuss the appointment of an Attorney-General.

The Prime Minister’s spokesman, Mr Dennis Onyango, confirmed the principals are to meet although the meeting was scheduled before the nominations of CJ and deputy CJ.

“Although the meeting was scheduled before the nominations by the Judicial Service Commission, I don’t think they will fail to discuss the nominations,” Mr Onyango said by phone.

The Judicial Service Commission nominated Dr Willy Mutunga to be the country’s next CJ while Ms Nancy Barasa his deputy.

The names will be forwarded by the two principals to Parliament for approval.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party on Sunday welcomed the nomination of Dr Mutunga and Ms Barasa, saying the two had the potential to end impunity in Kenya.

But a Nairobi lawyer, Mr Harrison Kinyanjui, said on Sunday he was going to court to challenge the nominations of Dr Mutunga and Ms Barasa.

“The power to appoint the Chief Justice and his deputy are vested with the President and not the JSC,” he said.

And a section of MPs has vowed to throw out the names of nominees for Chief Justice and Deputy when they are brought to Parliament for approval.

Assistant Medical Services minister Samuel Kambi criticised the JSC for “dictating” terms. “It is as if we don’t have a President any more,” he said.

Kuresoi MP Zakayo Cheruiyot and his Chepalungu counterpart Isaac Ruto dismissed the nominees.

The legislators appealed to President Kibaki not to endorse the nomination because they “suspect a sinister motive in the appointments.”

Reports by Mwakera Mwajefa, Lucas Barasa and Oliver Mathenge