Law Society of Kenya seeks top court’s say on vetting board

By Isaiah Lucheli

Kenya: The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has moved to the Supreme Court seeking to insulate the Judges and Magistrates Vetting Board from a rising number of litigations.

The body is challenging a ruling, which said the vetting board was subject to the jurisdiction of the High Court, paving way for aggrieved judicial officers sacked by the board to seek legal redress.

The decision by the High Court was upheld by the Court of Appeal as appellate judges Patrick Kiage, James Odek and Jamila Mohamed in their judgement dismissed an assertion by LSK that the vetting of judges and magistrates was a no-go-zone for the Judiciary.

LSK lawyer Charles Kanjama submitted in court Tuesday that the Supreme Court should determine whether the decision of the vetting board could be subjected to review by the High Court.

Kanjama further sought to have the three cases filed touching on matters concerning the vetting board to be consolidated to ensure that the hearing was expedited.

Lawyers Fred Ojiambo, John Khaminwa and Stephen Mwenesi opposed the application, noting that LSK had filed the suit after the required 30 days had lapsed.