JSC concludes interviews for recruitment of judges

By Patrick KibetInterviews seeking to enlist High Court judges ended after the grilling of five candidates.
Mr Kipyegon Korir, currently the deputy registrar Nakuru law courts, took the hot seat first. He told Judicial Service Commission (JSC) that he started the court users committee in Isiolo to improve administration of justice.
"While in Meru we brought together all stakeholders in court open days to discuss ways of improving justice and complaints were raised against advocates and even the Judiciary, a process which helped improve the administration of justice," Mr Korir told JSC.
Commissioner Ahmednasir Abdulahi noted that the candidate had done exemplary research work but failed to share with the Judiciary. In his masters thesis, Mr Korir had done extensive research on provision of judicial services in Meru.
The second candidate Ms Grace Nzioka, lightened up the panel with her quick and confident responses. Ms Nzioka has worked for 23 years as judicial officer, a career which has taken her to different stations.
High handedness
Commissioner Ahmednasir took Ms Nzioka to task over complaints from two lawyers and a member of the public.
A lawyer had written to JSC noting that Ms Nzioka was not fit to be a judicial officer due to her high handedness.
"I don’t remember such exchange with the lawyer and I never uttered any of those words," Ms Nzioka defended herself.
Another member of public had also written saying the magistrate had taken his file from one station to another.
Ms Nzioka disputed the allegations and told JSC in her work as a judicial officer she had never taken with her any file to her new station.
Allegations also sufficed from a lady named Christabel who worked for Ms Nzioka. JSC sought her version of a story after receiving correspondence. She told JSC that Christabel had worked for her when her mother was sick and later took off with belongings of another lady she was staying with in the servant quarters.
Also interviewed was chief executive officer, TJRC Mrs Patricia Nyaundi. She told JSC that her work at Fida-Kenya has enabled women access justice and developed alternative dispute resolution.