Supreme Court judges have in most cases remained out of the public limelight unless when called upon to determine a monumental case such as a presidential petition.
As such, many Kenyans might be unaware that one of the judge's wife works in the Jubilee administration.
Justice Jackton Boma Ojwang's wife, Professor Colleta Suda is the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology in charge of Higher Education.
[caption caption="Prof Colleta Suda with Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i"]
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Prof Suda was first appointed the Principal Secretary for the former State Department of Science and Technology, in May 2013 before the department was split into two.
Before being appointed by President Uhuru Kenyatta, she worked in the Grand Coalition government from 2007 to 2012 as the Secretary for Gender and Social Development in Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Development.
In 2013, she tried her luck in politics by vying for an electoral position in Migori on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket but bowed out of the race before the nominations.
[caption caption="Professor Colleta Suda"]
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In 2016, her appointment to work in the Jubilee administration became a subject of discussion at the interview for Chief Justice of Kenya position, a seat which Justice Ojwang was eyeing.
Appearing before the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), the vetting panel questioned about Prof Suda's selection shortly after the 2013 presidential petition where the court upheld Kenyatta's win.
Responding to the question posed by Commissioner Aggrey Muchelule, Ojwang explained that his wife’s appointment was based on merit and not any kind of favours.
Justice Ojwang is among the six judges who are hearing the presidential petitions challenging the re-election of President Kenyatta's win in the October 26 poll.
