Big names left out of shortlist for prospective judges

Monday, 30 May 2011 07:29 BY NZAU MUSAU

REJECTED: FIDA chairperson Naomi Wagereka addresses the media on the position of appointing a CJ.

FAMOUS lawyers and a former judge were turned down for the jobs of judges whose shortlist was released last Friday. A former judge Johnson Kiptonui Mitey led the pack. Mitey who opted to retire in 2003 during the Ringera radical surgery of the judiciary wanted to make a comeback on the bench but was rejected.
Earlier this year, Mitei was admitted to the list of counsel who can practise at the International Criminal Court, joining a club of less than 15 Kenyan lawyers.
Also not considered for possible recruitment is the current chairperson of Federation of Women Lawyers- Kenya (FIDA-K) Naomi Wagereka. Wagereka is also a member of Kenya Anti Corruption Commission’s Advisory Board.
Also left out is her predecessor at FIDA, Violet Awori and former Electoral Commission of Kenya member Alice Yano. The latter also served at the defunct Constitution of Kenya Review Commission.
Also left out is a one time Director of Public Prosecution and now a magistrate Uniter Pamela Kidula. Those shortlisted will be interviewed between July 4 and 28.
From the list of original applicants published, it was clear most lawyers working in civil society organisations shied away from applying for the job. And so did many council members of the Law Society of Kenya.
Majority of the applicants came from inside the judiciary itself with a big number coming from the State Law Office and the lower courts, mainly magistrates' courts. No member of the traditionally marginalised groups like the Somali made it to the final shortlist.