Lawyers back Nyaundi’s bid for Judicial Service Commission position

By KENAN MIRUKA

KENYA: Lawyers in Nyanza South region have endorsed Ken Nyaundi for the post of commissioner at the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

Last week, Law Society of Kenya (LSK) advertised Ahmednasir Abdullahi’s post in the JSC. His tenure as the society’s representative ends on December 31.

LSK Secretary Apollo Mboya said the society’s full council meeting had resolved that its other representative, Florence Mwangangi, will continue serving for another five years.

Lobbying for the post has intensified, with lawyers Tom Ojienda, Okongo O’Mogeni and Nyaundi all expressing interest in succeeding Ahmednasir.

Advocates affiliated to the LSK Nyanza South Chapter and 10 representatives from the Nakuru Chapter met at a luncheon in Kisii town and resolved to back Nyaundi for the post.

Other chapters

“We have resolved to back Nyaundi as the candidate to enter JSC as a commissioner owing to his experience. As lawyers from this region, we shall all back his bid and campaign for him in other chapters,” said Cyrus Minda.

Nyaundi was admitted to the bar in 1990 and served as a commissioner with the defunct Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC).

Local chapter chairman Momanyi Aunga said the luncheon had brought together lawyers to discuss the way forward in the coming elections.

He further said that the lawyers would choose LSK’s representative to succeed Ahmednasir at JSC.

“This was an introductory meeting and subsequent meetings will be held to consolidate our position,” said Aunga.

According to LSK, one of the advocates appointed to the JSC in 2010 was to serve for only three years. Article 171 of the Constitution establishes the JSC, which among other members, consists of two advocates of the High Court – a man and woman.

Received endorsement

Nyaundi exuded confidence that he would clinch the post, saying he had received similar endorsement in Nakuru.

“I will be meeting lawyers in Eldoret and Kisumu in the coming week to sell my candidature before moving to other chapters. I thank lawyers from Nyanza South and Nakuru for the endorsement, which is a sign of goodwill,” he said.