Uhuru yet to receive CJ nominee’s name

What you need to know:

  • The Judicial Service Act does not give the President any leeway as he will only be required to forward the name to the National Assembly for approval within seven days.
  • The JSC will today embark on the search for the Deputy Chief Justice to replace retired Justice Kalpana Rawal.

President Uhuru Kenyatta is yet to receive the name of Chief Justice nominee as the search for his deputy begins Monday.

State House Spokesman Manoah Esipisu on Sunday said the Head of State was still waiting for the Judicial Service Commission to forward its choice three days after picking Court of Appeal Judge David Maraga.

“The President is awaiting official notification from the JSC. Once he receives it, he will apply what is in his mind and respond as required by the law,” said Mr Esipisu.

The Judicial Service Act does not give the President any leeway as he will only be required to forward the name to the National Assembly for approval within seven days.

The House will have another seven days to make its decision on the nominee.

If it approves, the President will have three days to appoint Justice Maraga the next CJ.

If the House rejects the nominee, the President will within three days notify the commission of the decision.

The commission will then submit another name in three days.

Justice Maraga emerged top after trouncing 14 other applicants.

The JSC will today embark on the search for the Deputy Chief Justice to replace retired Justice Kalpana Rawal. Sixteen applicants have expressed interest in the job.