Women and minorities dominate new list of judges

Gender and regional balance were at play on Monday as 28 new High Court judges were appointed.

Among them are 14 women and two from minority groups.

Chief Justice Willy Mutunga described the choices as “excellent”, saying the JSC was guided by the constitutional values of transparency, openness and fidelity to the law.

“We have picked candidates from rich diversities decreed by the Constitution and law, including gender, ethnicity, county, generation, minorities and other forms of marginalisation,” he said.

Dr Mutunga said the commission considered academic background, professional experience and the integrity of the candidates.

“We have recruited 14 women, two Kenyans in the Diaspora, a Kenyan European, a woman with albinism, 11 serving magistrates and this representation is also from various counties,” he said.

The new judges are Prof Joel Ngugi Mwaura, Ms Grace Mumbi Ngugi, Mr Mutava, Mr Joseph Mbalu Murithi, Mr Edward Muthoga, Ms Pauline Nyamweya, Mr George Kanyi Kimondo, Mr David Majanja, Mrs Celicia Githua, Mrs Beatrice Jaden Thuranira, Mr Weldon Kipyegon Korir, Mrs Grace Nzioka, Mrs Christine Meoli, Mrs Hedwig Ong’udi, Ms Stella Ngali Mutuku, Mr James Wakiaga and Mrs Rose Ougo.

Others are Mr Erick Okumu Ogola, Mr George Vincent Odunga, Mrs Stella Muketi, Mr Jonathan Bowen Havelock, Mr Hillary Kiplagat Chemitei, Mr James Aaron Makau, Mr Francis Tuiyot, Mrs Roseline Lagat Korir, Mr Richard Mururu Mwongo, Mr Alfred Mabeya, Mrs Lydia Awino Achode and Mrs Abigail Mshila.

Dr Mutunga said the new officers will help clear the case backlog, adding that most court operations had been computerised.

The JSC appointed two officers above the advertised 26 vacancies to replace two judges appointed to the Supreme Court.

Attorney General Amos Wako said the Cabinet had approved an amendment removing the cap on the maximum number of judges that can be recruited by the JSC. This, he said, would allow for appointment of more judges in the Court of Appeal.

Mr Wako said this was part of the Miscellaneous Amendment Bill to be tabled in Parliament next week.

Earlier, Mrs Gladys Boss Shollei was sworn in as the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary, becoming the first person to hold the position. She was previously the Deputy Electoral Officer at the Interim Independent Electoral Commission. (READ: Shollei gets top courts job)

Mrs Shollei will oversee all administrative issues in the Judiciary.

Dr Mutunga said that she was picked in a competitive and transparent process.

Mrs Shollei also headed the National Council for Law Reporting.