Judicial Service Commission (JSC) plans to convene a full meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) despite the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court being faced with staff insufficiency.
During the Wednesday sitting, close sources have indicated how Chief Justice David Maraga's retirement plan has not been given a lot of weight, with some candidates already expressing their interest over the position.
Ms. Amadi Anne, JSC secretary on Monday, hinted out that Maraga's retirement was not part of the agenda, despite other sources indicating that the retirement issue could be on the table.
The meeting is expected to foster a lot of weight on the recruitment and interviews for the National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ) officials.
Exit for CJ David Maraga is set for January 2021, when he will clock 70, though sources reveal how he is likely to leave earlier than that in October 2020.
By any chance, should the CJ exit earlier as speculated, Supreme Court operations might be stalled, owing to quorum hitch. This is after President Kenyatta's lengthened period for judges' appointments.
With Deputy CJ Ms. Philomena Mwilu out of office due to graft charges, and the soon approaching retirement for judge Jackton Ojwang, the sitting judges left are now five.
The active judges are currently CJ Maraga, Ms. Njoki Ndung'u, Smokin Wanjala, Isaac Lenaola, and lastly, Mohamed Ibrahim. Justice Jackton Ojwang reportedly left for his terminal leave in January 2020, pending his retirement.
Director for Public Prosecution (DPP) and Director for Criminal Investigations (DCI) filed a petition against DCJ Ms. Mwilu. Both the DPP and DCI are so determined to overthrow Ms. Mwilu that they are among witnesses against her.
Hearing for Ms. Mwilu's petition is set for March, and whereby if successful, then it will see the DCJ's overhaul out of office.
Ms. Mwilu survived the May 2019 prosecution after High Court ruled in her favor that DPP Boss Noordin Hajj intruded into her privacy while gathering evidence against her.
Mr. Hajj pointed out Ms. Mwilu as not befitting to hold office on accusations of forgery and false documents, unpaid taxes, irregular acquisition of property, among others.
Ms. Amadi revealed that JSC intended to employ one Supreme Court judge and other 300 judges in addition to another 100 magistrates plus 300 judiciary officers and staff.
The judges to be employed will serve in Employment and Labour Court, Environment and Lands Court, as well as High Court.
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