Chief Justice David Maraga might exit the Supreme Court next year to pave way for the recruitment of his successor.
Legally, Maraga is expected to retire on January 2021 when he attains the age of 70. He is currently 68 years old.
According to the constitution, Supreme Court judges should not be above 70 years.
Sources at the apex court who spoke to the Standard, have however revealed that the soft-spoken Supreme Court’s president might plan to leave the judiciary early to give enough room for the Judicial Service Commission to recruit the next CJ.
This was the route taken by ex-CJ Willy Mutunga. He left the office one year before his retirement date.
Legally, Mutunga was supposed to leave the apex court in June 2017 but exited office in June 2016.
If Maraga follows the decision, he will, therefore, retire on January 2020 instead of waiting for his exit day of January 2021.
Already, daggers are drawn at the court as succession game plans both within the judiciary and the country take shape before 2022.
Politicians are reportedly positioning themselves to have their favourites take up positions at the judiciary due to its role in determining political questions during elections.