The Judicial Service Commission(JSC) has rejected the application by former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Wafula Chebukati for the position of the Judge of the Court of Appeal.
In an advertisement published on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, Chief Justice Martha Koome-led commission instead accepted an application by former IEBC chair Issack Hassan Ahmed.
Hassan who is an advocate is among 40 people who made it to the final list of candidates shortlisted for a Court of Appeal post where the Judiciary is seeking to hire eleven persons as appellant judges.
In the notice, the JSC reduced the number of applicants from 81 candidates to 41 after going through the shortlist which Chebukati and several High Court judges and lawyers had applied.
Among the candidates shortlisted for interviews set to begin on June 3, 2024, are current judges of the High Court, judges of the Employment and Labour Relations Court and judges of the Environment and Lands Court.
Those shortlisted are currently serving judges, including Alfred Mabeya, the presiding judge of the Commercial Division, Chacha Mwita, Hedwig Ong'udi, Anthony Mrima, Christine Meoli, Daniel Ogembo, Grace Nzioka, James Wakiaga, Kimondo Kanyi, Jairus Ngaah, Joseph Oguttu and Onesmus Makau.
Also shortlisted are President Ruto's lawyer Katwa Kigen, advocates Brown Kairaria, David Sifuna, Jacqueline Mbithe, Paul Lilan Stephen Ouma and Mathenge Waweru.
"The JSC having reviewed the application for completeness and conformity with the requirements as set out in the advertisement, shortlisted 41 candidates," read the notice in part.
In a public notice, Koome has invited comments from the public regarding the conduct of the shortlisted candidates by May 13, 2024.
Interviews for the shortlisted candidates are scheduled to commence on June 3 at 9:00 am and conclude in the afternoon of June 20.
"Take note that the Commission may interview any member of the public who has submitted information on any of the shortlisted candidates and such information shall be kept confidential," read the notice in part.
The JSC had advertised applications for the positions on 13 October 2023.
This follows another gazette notice issued by Koome declaring 11 vacancies in the Court of Appeal, with eligible candidates required to submit their applications through the JSC portal.
