In absence of CJ, most senior Supreme Court judge can swear in the president-elect, says AG - See more at: http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-109728/absence-cj-most-senior-supreme-court-judge-can-swear-president-elect-says-ag#sthash.o0ONFBJf.dpuf

Thursday, February 28, 2013 - 00:00 -- BY IBRAHIM ORUKO

ATTORNEY GENERAL Githu Muigai has announced that the senior most judge in the Supreme Court may swear in the president-elect in the event Chief Justice Willy Mutunga is unavailable.

Yesterday Githu sought to allay fears of a constitutional crisis in the swearing in of the president-elect in the unlikely event that Mutunga is unavailable following the sacking of deputy chief justice Nancy Baraza.

Though Judicial Service Commission last week appointed Court of Appeal judge Kalpana Rawal to replace Baraza, her appointment awaits vetting by MPs and eventual approval by parliament to enable Rawal discharge her duties.

Nonetheless, Muigai said consultation within the government had led to an agreement that the name of the supreme Court Judge be gazetted as a possible stand-by to conduct the swearing in ceremony.

Githu was speaking during a press conference following a meeting with constitutional commissions and independent offices holders on election preparedness.

Chairman of the forum Otiende Amollo said they are satisfied with the general preparedness of the elections and promised to support the IEBC deliver on its mandate.

- See more at: http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-109728/absence-cj-most-senior-supreme-court-judge-can-swear-president-elect-says-ag#sthash.o0ONFBJf.dpuf