Parliament to vet CJ nominee, David Maraga, Wednesday

Chief Justice nominee, Justice David Kenani Maraga, will on Wednesday, October 12, 2016 face the National Assembly’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) as legislators cross-examine him to assess his suitability to head the Judiciary.

Justice Maraga was nominated by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) after emerging top when he floored 12 other candidates who had expressed interest in the Judiciary top job.

In a letter dated Thursday, September 29, 2016 by President Uhuru Kenyatta and addressed to National Assembly speaker, Justin Muturi, the Head of State asked the Speaker to move with speed and ensure the vetting process is fast tracked and timely.

President Kenyatta also included the original copy of the Judicial Service Commission’s Report on recruitment and selection process for the Chief Justice and his Curriculum Vitae.

“This was submitted in line with the provisions of Article 166 (1) of the Constitution which provides and I quote: The President shall appoint the Chief Justice and the Deputy Chief Justice, in accordance with the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission, and subject to the approval of the National Assembly,” said Muturi in a letter dated Tuesday, October 4, 2016.

Muturi asked the Members of Parliament to expedite the process of appointment of a ‘substantive Chief Justice.’

“Section 8 of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, 2011 further provides that the relevant Committee should table its Report for debate and decision within fourteen days from when the notification of nomination is given. I cannot over-emphasize the need to expedite this process of appointment of a substantive Chief Justice, considering that there is a vacancy in this position and in that of the Deputy Chief Justice at a time when the substantive office holders ought to perform certain statutory obligations.”

Muturi directed the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs to undertake the necessary approval hearings.

“The Committee should notify the nominee and the general public of the time and place for holding the approval hearings expeditiously. The notification should therefore be made immediately,” stated Muturi.

“The Committee should, thereafter, commence the necessary approval hearings and table its Report on or before Wednesday, 12^th October 2016 for debate and decision in the House before the end of next week.”

Maraga promised to deliver justice if he is confirmed as Kenya’s second Chief Justice under the new constitutional dispensation.