The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) shortlisted seven candidates to join Court of Appeal as judges.
In a statement, on Wednesday, July 15, Chief Justice Martha Koome, who doubles as the Chairperson of JSC explained that the seven names were arrived at after a lengthy and careful consideration.
"After lengthy deliberations of the performance of the various candidates and based on the constitutional imperative of merit, gender, regional balance, affirmative action and public interest, the JSC has recommended the appointment of the underlined to the Office of the Court of Appeal," revealed CJ Koome.
Those shortlisted include; Justice Kimaru Luka Kiprotich, Gachoka Paul Mewaniki, Lady Justice Achode Lydia Awino and Justice Ochieng Fredrick Awino.
Others are Justice Mativo John Mutinga, Lady Justice Nyenye Grace Wangui and Lady Justice Aroni Abisa Ali.
According to CJ Koome, the recommendation was guided by among others, gender, merit and regional balance after the positions were advertised on March 14, 2022.
The seven names have since been forwarded to President Uhuru Kenyatta for appointment.
JSC commenced interviews for thirty candidates who had been shortlisted for interviews, after the jobs were advertised on June 27.
Only four candidates were interviewed per day in sessions led by CJ Koome, taking two weeks.
Katiba Institute had filed a petition in court seeking to stop CJ Koome from recruiting new judges until the six judges who were left out by President Kenyatta are appointed into office.
The President failed to appoint six out of 40 judges in June last year, on grounds that he had intelligence reports raising doubts on their integrity.
The six judges included Aggrey Muchelule, George Odunga, Weldon Korir, Joel Ngugi, High Court Judith Omange and Chief Magistrate Evans Makori who were to serve in the appellate court.
The court of Appeal, however, ruled that the lobby group had failed to demonstrate what prejudice the judges would suffer if the recruitment were to proceed.
