Fida says LSK list for Gicheru substitute unfair

By STANDARD TEAM

Women lawyers have raised issues with a list of proposed names for the post of Chief Justice.

Federation of Women Lawyers (Fida) yesterday termed the list fronted by the Law Society of Kenya as unfair and gender insensitive.

"A glaring omission has been the failure to include in this list names of competent women lawyers," Fida chairperson Naomi Wagereka said.

Fida has lined up ten names of women lawyers it wants considered in filling the post ahead of Evan Gicheru’s retirement next month. Fida’s list includes names of Nancy Baraza, Justice Kalpana Rawal, Violet Awori, Violet Mavisi, Wambui Njogu, Justice Martha Koome, Joyce Majiwa and Prof Patricia Mbote. Others are Jamilla Mohamed and Mary Ang’awa.

On Tuesday LSK proposed a list of five, all male lawyers, leaving out members of the current Judiciary. LSK proposed chairman of the defunct Committee of Experts Nzamba Kitonga, lawyers Kathurima M’Inoti, Pheroze Nowrojee, Fred Ojiambo and Prof Githu Muigai.

Elsewhere LSK has urged the Government to establish High Courts in all counties to reduce the cost of litigation caused by long distances covered by those seeking justice. It said this would conform with the new Constitution.

County High courts

Chairman Kenneth Akide said the new courts should be accompanied by recruitment of judicial offices and the necessary support staff. A Kitui lawyer and member of LSK Japheth Mwalimu read the petition on behalf of the chairman in Kitui town.

"Several stations are experiencing acute shortage of judicial officers which is a contributing factor to backlog," Mwalimu said.

And a cleric wants the post of CJ and that of Director of National Intelligence Service advertised upon the retirement of the officeholders. Mumias ACK Bishop Beneah Salala said President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga should not share the posts on political basis.

— Reporting By Lucianne Limo, Paul Mutua And Joel Okwayo