JSC releases names of applicants for top judicial jobs

The Judicial Service Commission has released 24 names of applicants for the Chief Justice and Deputy Chief Justice posts.

The names include President Kibaki initial nominee for the Chief Justice post Judge Alnashir Visram and three other appeal court Judges.

The list also includes high court Judges, a Ghanian and three lawyers engaged in private practise in Kenya.

The commission is scheduled to shortlist the applicants on Monday next week. Subsequent interviews are set of the first week of May.

Besides Judge Visram, other Appellate Judges seeking the Chief Justice post are Joseph Nyamu, Riaga Omollo and Samuel Bosire.

High Court Judges eyeing the position are Paul Kihara, Msagha Mbogoli, Mary Angawa and Kalpana Rawal.

Other applicants are Lee Muthoga, Willy Mutunga, Timothy Isaac Bryant and Edward Torgbor, a Ghanian who has practised law in Kenya before.

Candidates seeking the deputy Chief Justice position are High Court Judges Roseline Nambuye, William Ouko, Martha Koome, Nicholas Ombija and Mary Kasango.

Others are lawyers Gladys Shollei, Pamela Tuitui, Nancy Baraza, Lucy Kambuni and Hannah Okwengu.

The names were were made public by commission’s acting chairperson Prof Christine Mango after a meeting held by the JSC at the high court. This is after the 21 days deadline for application of the jobs expired. The two positions were advertised in the Kenya Gazette and all local daily newspapers on March 4.

Under the new constitution, a person applying for the job of Chief Judge should have 15 years experience as a superior court judge.

Alternatively, the candidate should have at least 15 years’ experience as a distinguished academic, judicial officer or legal practitioner.

A previous attempt at replacing Mr Justice Evan Gicheru stalled after President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga failed to agree on the President’s nomination of Justice Alnashir Visram.