Kenyan Judges oppose move to vet Kadhis

The Kenya Magistrates and Judges Association (KMJA) has opposed the decision by the Judges and Magistrates Vetting Board (JMVB) to vet Khadhis.

In an advertisement appearing in one of the local dailies yesterday, JMVB is appealing to the public and institutions to participate in the upcoming vetting of 13 Khadis by submitting relevant information, which may assist the board.

According to the advert, the factors to be considered during the vetting exercise include constitutional criteria for appointment as a magistrate, past work record of the magistrate, any pending or concluded criminal cases before a court of law against the magistrate and any recommendation for prosecution by the Attorney General or the anti-graft agency.

But addressing the media at Milimani Law Courts yesterday, KMJA's Secretary General Bryan Khaemba said the association is perturbed by JMVB's continuous misinterpretation of the Constitution. "The association hereby wishes to inform the public to ignore the said advertisement," Khaemba said, adding that according to the Constitution, Khadhis are not part of judges and magistrates despite them being judicial officers.