Supreme Court judges appointed
Lawyer Njoki Ndung'u and a former anti-graft agency director Smokin Wanjala are among the five Kenyans appointed to sit on the Supreme Court June 16, 2011. FILE
The first ever Kenya Supreme Court judges have been appointed by President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
The principals agreed on the appointment of Justice Philip Tunoi, Justice Jackton Ojwang, Justice Mohammed Ibrahim, Ms Njoki Ndungu and Dr Smokin Wanjala Thursday.
"Upon recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission and after due consultations and subject to articles 166(1) (b) and 163(1)(c) of the Constitution, it has been agreed that the following be appointed as Judges of the Supreme Court: Hon. Mr. Justice Philip Kiptoo Tunoi, Hon. Mr. Justice Jackton Boma Ojwang’, Hon. Mr. Justice Mohamed Khadhar Ibrahim, Ms. Njoki Ndungu Susanna, and Dr Smokin Wanjala," said a statement.
After they are sworn in, the five will sit in a Court that will be charged with the interpretation of the Constitution and will have exclusive original jurisdiction to hear and determine disputes relating to the elections to the Office of the President.
The Supreme Court shall also hear and determine appeals from the Court of Appeal and any other court or tribunal as prescribed by national legislation.
They will be joined by the Chief Justice and his deputy to make a seven-judge bench.
The nominees for the CJ Willy Mutunga and deputy CJ Nancy Baraza were approved by Parliament Wednesday and now await formal appointment by President Kibaki.
The Chief Justice will serve as the President while his deputy be the Vice President of the Court.
