Interviews for position of Deputy Chief Justice start

High Court Judge Abida Ali-Aroni before the Judicial Service Commission's panel for interviews for the position of deputy Chief Justice at the Supreme Court building in Nairobi on September 26, 2016. PHOTO | DENNIS ONSONGO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • High Court judge Abida Ali Aroni and appellate judge Agnes Murgor pledged to bring efficiency into the Judiciary and help clear backlog of cases.
  • Justice Aroni was the first to face the commission in the morning where she cited her judicial independence and adherence to the law as her selling points to join the Supreme Court and deputise the Chief Justice.

Interviews for the post of Deputy Chief Justice started on Monday, with High Court judge Abida Ali-Aroni and appellate judge Agnes Murgor facing the Judicial Service Commission.

Both judges pledged to bring efficiency into the Judiciary and help clear backlog of cases.

Justice Ali-Aroni was the first to face the commission in the morning where she cited her judicial independence and adherence to the law as her selling points to join the Supreme Court and deputise the Chief Justice.

She said she would use her “adequate knowledge” in law and experience from without and within the Judiciary to foster team work.

Justice Ali-Aroni pledged to help the CJ fight corruption, make the Judiciary effective and efficient and clear backlog of cases, citing her track record after she was posted to the Kisumu High Court, where she said cases are heard real time.

“I also think it would be wise to add the number of the judges at the Supreme Court. Where a judge is absent or in the event of recusal, it becomes nonfunctional like in the current case,” she said.

She also defended herself from a decision by a vetting team to find her unsuitable to serve in 2013, saying after she appealed she was found suitable.

CORRUPTION CASES

Justice Murgor told the panel that, if appointed, she would request for the establishment of a Judiciary committee headed by a senior judge tasked with investigating corruption cases.

The committee, she said, should have many investigators to fast-track corruption cases as this would boost public confidence in the system.

She said her administration and management expertise, gained in the private sector, as a member of the bar and now in the Judiciary, will be vital in assisting the CJ in his duties.

Justice Murgor promised to help in clearing case backlog, particularly at the appellate court in Nairobi, where the commission heard there are over 1,000 pending cases.

“Some of the judges in courts hearing cases real time can come and sit in Nairobi and they can help clear the backlog and the cases,” she said.

Asked how best to achieve the two-thirds gender principle she said: “The Judiciary can set the ball rolling and appoint two women and one man in the ongoing interviews to be an example.”

Justices Fatuma Sichale and Hannah Magondi Okwengu will face the panel on Tuesday.