10 shortlisted for DPP position

Supreme Court deputy registrar Daniel ole Keiwua is among 10 shortlisted candidates for the position of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The position fell vacant after the appointment of Mr Keriako Tobiko as Environment Cabinet Secretary.

Also in the list is former commissioner of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Thomas Letangule, lawyer Lucy Kambuni, National Intelligence Service senior director Noordin Haji, Machakos chief magistrate Abdulkadir Ramadhan and Mr Patrick Gumo.

They will battle it out with three deputy DPPs – Ms Dorcas Oduor, Mr Ondari Jacob and Mr Nicholas Mutuku – to take over from Mr Tobiko.

Ms Odour, who is now an acting DPP, has 15 years experience as a prosecutor, Mr Ondari – economic, international and emerging crimes department boss – has 13 years’ experience and Mr Mutuku – in charge of the Department of Offences against the Person – has worked for 10 years.

Senior Assistant DPP James Warui has also been shortlisted for the position.

EXPERTS
The selection panel axed two University of Nairobi school of law scholars – Dr Wamuti Ndegwa (Mombasa campus) and Dr Njaramba Gichuki – and former Gatanga MP Humphrey Njuguna.

The three academicians and politician Julius ole Sunkuli were part of 17 applicants out of 27 who applied for the DPP’s position but were not shortlisted.

The Public Service Commission invited judges, magistrates, lawyers and academic or legal experts with at least 10 years’ experience to apply for the position.

The office holder, who earns a monthly salary of Sh765,188 plus other benefits, will serve for an eight-year non-renewable period.

INTEGRITY
The applicants are required to be of high moral character, integrity, good temperament and good judgment both in legal and life experiences, and show impartiality and fairness.

They will be interviewed by a panel, which includes Mr Kennedy Kihara (Office of the President), Ms Maryann Njau (Attorney-General’s office) and Ms Lilian Omollo (Public Service ministry).

The others are Ms Kagwiria Mbogori (Kenya National Commission on Human Rights), Ms Elizabeth Muli (Law Society of Kenya), Mr Francis Atwoli (Central Organisation of Trade Unions) and Mr Halakhe Waqo (Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission).

INTERVIEWS
The panel was tasked to elect a chairperson from among themselves, advertise the position and invite applications from qualified Kenyans and shortlist those who meet the requirements for interviews.

After the interviews, the selection panel shall submit three names of those most qualified in order of performance to the President.

The President will then choose one person and forward the name to the national Assembly for vetting.

After the vetting, should they approve the nominee, the President will make the appointment.