JSC shortlists six possible candidates to replace Mutunga as Chief Justice

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has shortlisted six candidates for the vacant post of the Chief Justice and the President of the Supreme Court of Kenya.

Justices Alnashir Visram, Smokin Wanjala, Roselyne N. Nambuye, David Maraga, Mbogholi Msagha and legal scholar Philip Nzamba Kitonga will square it out to fill the vacuum left by the exit of Dr. Willy Mutunga.

Last week, JSC received 14 applications for the post of Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court.

Two Supreme Court Judges, Smokin Wanjala and Prof. Jackton Ojwang’, were among the applicants.

Other applicants for the Chief Justice post were; Justices Alnashir Visram and Msagha Mbogholi, legal Scholar Makau Mutua, lawyer David Mwaure Waihiga, Strathmore University lecturer Dr. Isaac Rutenberg, Justice (Rtd.) Aaron Ringera and legal scholar Nzamba Kitonga, Ambassador Daniel Wambura and Kongani Udoto with Lady Justice Roselyne N. Nambuye and Lucy Wanja determined to face off with fellow judges in what was expected to be a male dominated race.

The shortlisted candidates will now await communication on the interview dates.

JSC will on Wednesday shortlist the candidates for the post of the Deputy Chief Justice, initially held by Kalpana Rawal.

The DCJ post has turned to be a female dominated race with 14 expressing interest to take up Rawal’s position.

David Mwaure Waihiga was the only male applicant for the position. Other applicants include Lady Justices Hannah Okwengu, Abida Ali Aroni, Agnes Murgor, Wanjiru Karanja, Philomena Mwilu, Fatuma Sichale, Lydia Achode, Pauline Nyamweya, Martha Koome and Roselyne Nambuye, and lawyers Surinder Kapila, Pamela Tutui, and Chief Magistrate Judith Wanjala.

And to replace retired Judge Philip Tunoi on the bench, JSC received 21 applications.

Notably, some of the applicants had also submitted their applications for the post of the Chief Justice and Deputy Chief Justice.

Among the applicants include Lady Justices Martha Koome, Agnes Murgor, WanjiruKaranja, Philomena Mwilu, Roselyne Nambuye, FatumaSichale, Pauline Nyamweya, Justice MsaghaMbogholi, AlnashirVisram, Isaac Lenaola, KiplagatSergon, Erastus Githinji, LukaKimaru, Judith Wanjala, David MwaureWaihiga, Prof. Kevine Mare, John ChebiiKipkoech Pamela MwikaliTutui, ex-CIC Commissioner Dr. KibayaLaibuta and Strathmore University Don Dr. Isaac Rutenberg and Joyce MigudaMajiwa.