Search for Kalpana Rawals replacement as DCJ kicks off

The search for the Deputy Chief Justice commenced Monday, September 26 with 16 candidates lined up for the interviews.

The post of the DCJ fell vacant following the retirement of Kalpana Rawal after attaining the age of 70 years.

Among the shortlisted candidate who applied for the post are: Justices Abida Ali Aroni, Agnes Murgor, Fatuma Sichale, Martha Koome, and Roselyne N. Nambuye.

Others include: Lady Justices Hannah Okwengu, Wanjiru Karanja, Philomena Mwilu, Lydia Achode and Pauline Nyamweya and lawyers Ms Surinder Kapila, Ms Pamela Tutui and Ms Joyce Miguda Majiwa.

Justice Abida Aroni becomes the first candidate to face the panel.

This comes even as the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has urged the Judiciary Service Commission (JSC) to conduct free and fair interviews in searching for Rawal’s replacement.

“We want to get to know more about the candidate, deep questions about their philosophical approach on the administrative ability should be asked so that we can get the best person to deputise the nominee for Chief Justice,” said Charles Kanjama.

Addressing the press moments after the legal awareness week was launched on Monday, September 26, Kanjama, who is the Nairobi LSK chairman, congratulated the commission for carrying out successful interview for the post of Chief Justice.

“As practitioners, we are hopeful that Maraga will help us to increase the efficiency and the speed of delivery of justice which has been a bit slow in the last few years.”