JSC unveils names for Deputy Chief Justice position

Lady Justice Martha Koome is among the 13 candidates shortlisted for the position of Deputy Chief Justice.

Nairobi, Kenya: Judiciary Service Commission has shortlisted thirteen female candidates for the position of Deputy Chief Justice.

The list includes Abida Ali Aroni, Martha Koome and Roselyne Nambuye.

Others are Hannah Okwengu, Abida Ali Aroni, Agnes Murgor, Wajiru Karanja, Philomena Mwilu, Fatuma Sichale, Lydia Achode, Pauline Nyamweya, Martha Koome, Roselyne Nambuye, Surinder Kapila, Pamela Mwikali Tutui and Joyce Miguda Majiwa.

Eighteen other applicants have also been shortlisted for the position of judge of the Supreme Court.

JSC on Tuesday reduced to six the number of applicants in the race for the position of the Chief Justice.

Judges Smokin Wanjala (Supreme Court), Alnashir Visram, Roselyne Nambuye and David Maraga all from the Court of Appeal, High Court judge Msagha Mbogholi and Senior Counsel Nzamba Kitonga who chaired the Committee of Experts are in the race to head the Judiciary.

The list was whittled down from 14 applicants and those who did not make ther cut include retired judge Aaron Ringera, who once headed the anti-corruption agency, US-based scholar Makau Mutua, Supreme Court judge Jackton Ojwang and Strathmore University lecturer Isaac Rutenberg.

Others are lawyer David Waihiga who also lost in the race to become chairman of Central Bank of Kenya two years ago; Lucy Wanja, a commissioner at the Commission for University Education and the Daniel Wambura, the Principal Administrative Secretary in Deputy President William Ruto's office. Little-known lawyers Kongani Kongani and Paul Andrew also failed to make the shortlist.