Monday, February 18, 2013

Search For Deputy CJ Begins



Judicial Service Commission members Emily Ominde (right) and Florence Mwangangi during a past session for selecting judges
Judicial Service Commission to start vetting five short-listed applicants today after Cabinet intervened to have slot urgently filled
The process of recruiting Kenya’s new deputy Chief Justice begins today when the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) commences vetting applicants for the vacant position.JSC will hold public interviews for shortlisted candidates in the Chief Justice’s boardroom at the Supreme Court Building from 9 am to 12 pm today until Wednesday.Five candidates were shortlisted from a group of 18 applicants for the seat that fell vacant after President Kibaki relieved Nancy Baraza of her duties.Last month, the government asked the Chief Justice to closely liaise with the Attorney General to urgently fill the position.A Cabinet meeting chaired by President Kibaki said since Parliament was no longer in session to approve a newly recruited DCJ it was imperative for the AG and the CJ to work together to fill up the position “even on a temporary basis.”Among those shortlisted for the position include the Court of Appeal Judge Kalpana Rawal, Lucy Muthoni Kambuni, Joyce Majiwa, Amb Raychelle Omamo and Okowa Phoebe Nyawade.Judge Rawal, who was recently appointed to the Court of Appeal, is currently heading the team inquiring into the plane crash that led to the death of former Internal Security minister George Saitoti and his assistant Orwa Ojode. Kambuni currently works as lead assisting counsel in the Rawal led commission of inquiry, while Omamo was the first woman to be elected the Law Society of Kenya chairperson in 2002.Majiwa on the other hand has previously served as Federation of Women Lawyers Kenya (Fida) chairperson.Article 166 of the Constitution requires the President to appoint a Deputy Chief Justice in accordance with the recommendation of the JSC, subject to the approval of the National Assembly. The Deputy Chief Justice deputises the Chief Justice and is a Judge and vice-president of the Supreme Court.

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