The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) through Chief Justice David Maraga on Monday announced the recommendation of 11 new judges to the Court of Appeal.
According to the commission, the appointment of the 11 judges out of the 35 who were shortlisted for interviews, would raise the required number of judges in the appellate court from 19 to 30.
“Having deliberated and considered all the necessary parameters, the commission has concluded that the following are the most suitable candidates to be recommended for appointment,” Maraga said during a press briefing on Monday.
The 11 proposed judges include; Lady Justice Ngugi Grace Mumbi, Justice Odunga George Vincent, Justice Korir Weldon, Justice Msagha A Mbogholi, Justice Tuiyott Francis, Lady Justice Omondi Hellen Amolo, Lady Justice Nyamweya Pauline, Justice Muchelule Aggrey Otsyula, Justice Kibaya Imaana Laibuta, and Justice Joel Mwaura Ngugi.
The move by the JSC to recommend the 11, has, however, met strong opposition from Law Society of Kenya, male representative to the commission Macharia Njeru, who claims his proposal to include at least two lawyers was ignored.
“I made a strong case for appointment of at least two lawyers being members of the LSK from private practise who had passed the agreed passmark as opposed to appointing all from the Judiciary… My case was dismissed by the rest of the commission,” Njeru said as quoted by Citizen.
The names of the proposed judges will be forwarded by JSC to the President.