The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) is inviting the public to submit their views (comments or feedback) on Chief Justice candidates, before the start of interviews on 12h April.
In a statement signed by JSC Secretary Anne Amadi, the commission wants Kenyans to email their comments and feedback to recruitment@jsc.co.ke.
JSC has prepared a handbook with simplified yet detailed information on the Chief Justice selection process, including the profiles of the candidates, their sample writings and written memoranda from stakeholders. Information can be accessed on www.jsc.go.ke.
The commission is in the process of recruiting a new Chief Justice, a position that fell vacant after the retirement of Chief Justice Emeritus David Kenani Maraga on January 11, 2021.
The shortlisted candidates for the CJ post include Justice Said Chitembwe, Justice Martha Koome, Prof. Kameri Mbote, Justice Marete Njagi, Senior Counsel Philip Murgor, Senior Counsel Fred Ngatia, Justice Nduma Nderi, Prof. Moni Wekesa, Justice William Ouko, and Alice Yano.
Article 10 of the 2010 Constitution and the Judicial Service Act require public participation in the head of judiciary/president of the Supreme Court recruitment and selection process.
So far, the commission has held consultations with various stakeholders including; judges of the Supreme Court, judicial officers, representatives of Parliament, the Executive, county governments, the Law Society of Kenya, the Private Sector Alliance, various law schools and the Central Organisation of Trade Union, with regards the Chief Justice post.
Also, JSC has engaged civil society organisations including ICJ-Kenya, FIDA Kenya, Council of Kenya Muslims, KCCA just to name but a few.