Thirteen people have applied for the position of Chief Justice of Kenya.
None of the current Supreme Court judges has applied to succeed David Maraga, who retired in January 2021 after reaching a retirement age of 70.
The 13 applicants seeking the Judiciary president’s job include Prof. Otinga Mare, Prof. Moni Wekesa, Justice William Ouko, Justice D.K. Marete, Alice Jepkoech Yano, Lady Justice Martha Koome, Justice Mathew Nduma, Fred Ngatia, Prof. Patricia Mbote, Philip Murgor, Said Chitembwe, Otondi Ontweka and Ombongi Matagaro.
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Nine other applicants sought to fill up two Supreme Court judge positions following the retirement of judges David Maraga and Prof. J.B. Ojwang.
The nine include Justice William Ouko, Justice D.K. Marete, Alice Jepkoech Yano, Lady Justice Martha Koome, Justice Joseph Sergon, Justice Mathew Nduma, Justice Kathurima M’Inoti, Dr. Justry Lumumba Nyaberi and Said Chitembwe.
The Judicial Service Commission said Wednesday that as of close of business the above applicants were the ones who expressed interest in the two top Judicial positions.
“The Commission will proceed to shortlist and publicise the list within 14 days as provided in the First Schedule of the Judicial Service Act,” said Anne Amadi, the Secretary of the Judicial Service Commission.
The Supreme Court has a membership of seven judges. The current ones are Philomena Mwilu (Deputy Chief Justice), Njoki Ndung’u (judge), Isaac Lenaola (judge), Smokin Wanjala (judge) and Mohammed Ibrahim (judge).
David Maraga, the former Chief Justice, retired on January 12, 2021 while Prof. J.B. Ojwang retired in February 2020.
