Former Judiciary Top Job Contender Bags UN Appointment

  • By Derrick Okubasu on 1 August 2021 - 5:27 pm
    Senior Counsel Patricia Mbote appearing before the JSC for her interview for the position of Chief Justice on Tuesday, April 13, 2021.
    Senior Counsel Patricia Mbote appearing before the JSC for her interview for the position of Chief Justice on Tuesday, April 13, 2021.
    File

  • Former Chief Justice post aspirant Patricia Kameri Mbote was appointed to head a division at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

    Mbote was appointed as the Director of the Law Division at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on Wednesday, July 28.

    In a statement shared on Sunday, August 1, the Chief Justice Martha Koome congratulated Mbote noting that she looked forward to working with her.

    "Congratulations Prof Patricia Kameri-Mbote on your appointment as Director of the Law Division at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The Judiciary remains open to engage with you and UNEP on capacity building of the Judiciary & Court User Committees concerning local and international environmental law issues.

    Chief Justice Martha Koome (left) and former CJ post aspirant Prof. Patricia Kameri Mbote.
    Chief Justice Martha Koome (left) and former CJ post aspirant Prof. Patricia Kameri Mbote.
    Twitter

    "Kenya and indeed the world will benefit from your immense experience and proven abilities demonstrated in your vast career. I am very proud of you on this most deserved appointment. May God guide you and shine His light upon you always," stated the CJ.

    The position makes her the highest ranking Kenyan in the organisation.

    Mbote and Koome were both candidates for the Chief Justice post whose interviews were carried out in April 2021 from which the sitting CJ emerged victorious.

    During her interviews at the time, Mbote's statements rattled feathers when she did not fill her husband's wealth declaration status while applying to become Kenya's next Chief Justice. 

    All candidates seeking Kenya's Chief Justice position were required to fill forms giving their wealth status as well as their spouses. 

    "No, I didn't submit the forms because I did not get clear instructions on whether to file a declaration form for my spouse," Mbote retorted as her defence at the time.

    Mbote studied law at the University of Nairobi, the University of Warwick, the University of Zimbabwe and pursued her doctoral studies at Stanford Law School.

    She is currently an Associate Professor of Law at the Faculty of Law of the University of Nairobi and an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya.

    Chief Justice Martha Koome addressing state actors during the NCAJ meeting in July 16, 2021.
    Chief Justice Martha Koome addressing state actors during the NCAJ meeting in July 16, 2021.
    Kenyans.co.ke