Kibaki sends judicial nominees list to Parliament
President Kibaki has forwarded the names of nominees for top judicial jobs to Parliament for vetting, casting aside appeals by Prime Minister Raila Odinga, as well as requests by the Judicial Service Commission, for further consultations.
National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende has confirmed receipt of the names of the nominees on Monday evening.
The President had last Friday nominated Court of Appeal Judge Justice Alnashir Visram the next Chief Justice of Kenya to replace Chief Justice Evan Gicheru. He also named Prof Githu Muigai the next Attorney-General, taking over from long serving Amos Wako, while lawyer Kioko Kilukumi was nominated the new Director of Public Prosecutions.
The President also picked former Agricultural Development Corporation managing director William Kirwa as Controller of Budget.
Prime Minister Odinga has since protested that he had not been consulted and said that he would use “constitutional means” to block the nomination.
The Judicial Service Commission Commission met on Monday and released a statement asking for a fresh start and that the two leaders reconsider their positions.
"In light of the divergent views coming from the principals, we are of the view that the principals need to reconsider their respective positions. There is an urgent need for a rethink of the matter and put the country first. That entails a withdrawal of the nominations and a fresh start," the Commission said in a statement.
MORE FOLLOWS
