Kenya anti-graft agency clears 10 for CJ post

The Kenya Anti-corruption Commission (KACC) headquarters in Nairobi. The exercise by the agency is said to be aimed at ensuring that those picked for the jobs meet the demands of Chapter Six of the new Constitution. Photo/FILE

By PETER LEFTIE pmutibo@ke.nationmedia.com and JILLO KADIDA jkadida@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Wednesday, April 27 2011 at 22:57

Ten candidates eyeing the job of Chief Justice have been cleared by the anti-corruption agency.

A source at the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), which is tasked with filling the post, said the candidates had been given a clean bill of health by the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC).

The 10 are Mr Lee Muthoga of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, Court of Appeal judges Alnashir Visram, Joseph Nyamu, Riaga Omollo and Samuel Bosire.

The others are High Court judges Paul Kihara, Msagha Mbogoli, Mary Ang’awa and Kalpana Rawal and human rights defender Willy Mutunga.

The commission’s spokesman, Mr Nicholas Simani, said they had submitted integrity records of all the candidates for the job of Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice and Director of Public Prosecutions.

“We submitted a report to the Judicial Service Commission and the Public Service Commission (PSC) after looking at the integrity records of all the applicants for the offices of the Chief Justice, Deputy CJ and DPP,” Mr Simani told the Nation on Wednesday.

The race for Chief Justice was reduced to 10 candidates after JSC dropped two applicants, Mr Timothy Isaac Bryant, a lawyer in private practice in Nairobi and Mr Edward Torgbor, a Ghanaian judge who has served in Kenya before.

Interviews start on May 3, and end on May 12. On Wednesday, Mr Simani said the records on the candidates were handed to both commissions on Tuesday.

After conducting interviews, the JSC will make recommendations to the President, who will in turn appoint the Chief Justice after approval by Parliament and in consultation with the Prime Minister. (READ: Thorough vetting awaits CJ job applicants)

On Wednesday, Justice minister Mutula Kilonzo welcomed the exercise by KACC, saying it was aimed at ensuring that those picked for the jobs met the demands of Chapter Six of the new Constitution.

“What the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission is doing is very good because it helps to guarantee the credibility of those to serve in these positions.

“I wish all agencies dealing with integrity undertook similar investigations to ensure those appointed are beyond reproach,'’ he said.

Those fighting it out for the position of deputy CJ include judges Roseline Nambuye, Martha Koome, Mary Kasango, Hannah Okwengu, Mary Ang’awa and Joseph Nyamu. Others are lawyers Gladys Shollei and Nancy Baraza.