Handle Mutunga succession with care

The looming showdown in the Judiciary over succession of Chief Justice Willy Mutunga and his deputy Kalpana Rawal is a highly explosive issue that should be handled with great care and in accordance with the Constitution.

Politics, ethnic background, religion and other shenanigans should not be allowed to dictate who should be the next CJ and deputy respectively.

Any attempts by some leaders to be mischievous and try to control, dictate, regulate and manipulate the Mutunga succession will not only tear apart the Judiciary that is already facing a credibility crisis due to the sudden increase in graft, but also lose the much-needed confidence and trust of Kenyans.

The process of appointing the next CJ and his deputy should be beyond reproach.

Although I am not a lawyer, from my humble and honest analysis, Dr Smokin Wanjala and Prof JB Ojwang’ are top contenders for the positions. Both have the experience, competence, integrity and sound education backgrounds needed.

It is therefore crucial to remind the powerful Judicial Service Commission on the need to consider national interests and, above all, respect the Constitution in the recruitment process.