Act fearlessly, judicial team told

The new Judicial Service Commission was sworn in on Tuesday with a new message: the days of political partronage are over.

Speaking during the swearing in ceremony, Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo urged the commission not to bow to pressure from any arm of government.

“I urge you members of the Judicial Service Commission to execute your mandate without fear or favour from any arm of government,” said the minister.

Chief Justice Evan Gicheru is the current chairman of the Judicial Service Commission. He is set to leave office next month.

Mr Kilonzo said an independent commission will ensure only qualified people of integrity were hired as judicial officers, which will help restore public confidence.

“The reason for post-election violence, which claimed thousands of lives is because Kenyans refused to challenge the 2007 election results in court. Never again should Kenyans opt for mass action instead of going to courts,” Mr Kilonzo said.

He gave the example of Israel, which convicted its former President Moshe Katsav of rape on December 30, last year.

This, he said, showed that the democracy of Israel rested on a strong judiciary and it is now the time of the new members of judicial commission to ensure that they do their work well and restore public confidence in the institution.

The Judicial Service Commission will advertise for the post of Chief Justice, conduct interviews and shortlist three names that will be handed to the president and prime minister.

Parliament will approve the final nominee before final appointment by the President.

The minister said the standards of vetting judges applied to those already serving and the new ones who want the jobs will be the same.