The Judicial Service Commission will not disclose the criteria it used to shortlist applicants for the post of chief justice.
The commission told a Nairobi court Friday that it send letters to applicants who were not shortlisted stating the formula used.
In a letter presented to court, the JSC further said the short-listed applicants were selected because they had met the requirements prescribed in Article 166(2) and (3) of the Constitution and the criteria specified in the Judicial Service Act 2011.
JSC has shortlisted six candidates for the CJ post while 13 women have been shortlisted for the DCJ position.
The immediate former CJ Willy Mutunga left office on June 16 after opting for early retirement while the DCJ post was formerly held by Justice Kalpana Rawal who retired after the Appeals Court upheld a High Court ruling that judges retire at 70. Rawal is 70.
The slot for the Supreme Court judge was left vacant after Justice Philip Tunoi, 72, also went on retirement.
According to citizentv.co.ke, JSC lawyer Njoroge Regeru said there is need to fast-track the hiring of the three vacancies; CJ, deputy chief justice and Supreme Court judge.
He also noted that the hiring process is a matter of great public concern.
Regeru presented the letter in a case in which Katiba Institute director Yash Pal Ghai wants the commission compelled to provide information on how it shortlisted candidates for the three positions.
Ghai has accused the commission of denying the public crucial information on how candidates were picked, terming it a violation of the law.
He has also accused the commission of failing to facilitate accountability and transparency in administration of justice.