PRESIDENT Uhuru Kenyatta's long-serving aide Njee Muturi is among ten people shortlisted by the Public Service Commission for the position of the Solicitor-General.
The commission advertised the position two weeks ago following the retirement of Wanjuki Muchemi last month who had served for 10 years.
Muturi was among 16 applicants for the job that assists the Attorney General in his duties as principal legal adviser to the government. The Solicitor General is the accounting officer at the State Law Office and the Department of Justice. The Solicitor General also handles the administrative and the legal functions of the office.
Muturi, an advocate of High Court, has been a personal assistant to Uhuru since his days as a nominated MP. Muturi was reportedly asked to apply for the job by people close to the presidency as power-plays among different factions continue to dog the new administration.
Muturi was initially being considered for a Cabinet position or Chief of Staff at State House. However, Uhuru's private secretary and nephew, Jomo Gecaga, has also taken over the role of Chief of Staff.
There has been intense lobbying for Muturi to get the job of Solicitor General after he missed out on the other key appointments.
Other shortlisted candidates included Deputy Solicitor General Muthoni Kimani, Registrar General Bernice Wanjiku Gachegu, and the Anti-Counterfeit Agency executive director and CEO Stephen Mallowah.
Others are Jane Matoke, Tuimising Ronoh, Margaret Kaptuiya Cheboiwo, Paul Kipsang Kosgei, Francis Mwangi Njoroge and Alice Wanjiku Mbiyu.
Cheboiwo, a former State counsel, last year made the final list of those interviewed for the National Police Service Commission.
Kosgei is a former Industrial Court Judge who left when it was transformed into a High Court and fell under the Judicial Service Commission. Previously,the Industrial Court was under the Ministry of Labour and all judges were appointed under the Labour Institutions Act. Mbiyu works in the State Law Office and is an experienced civil litigation lawyer.
Gachegu joined the State Law Office in 1984 after her graduation and admission to the Bar. She has risen from legal assistant to Registrar General in 2000.
“The commission shortlisted 10 candidates who met the requirements for the position of Solicitor General, in the office of Attorney General and Department of Justice,” the PSC said in its notice. The interviews end today.
Muchemi’s tenure as Solicitor General was extended by 12 months after the expiry of his third three-year term in May 2012. Wanjuki replaced Julius Kandie who was appointed Kenya's ambassador to Vienna in 2003.
A candidate should qualify to hold the office of judge of a superior court and meet the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution on ethics and integrity. If appointed, Muturi will serve on contract as Solicitor General for five years.
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