The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) on Thursday, December 1, announced a list of twenty candidates for appointment as Judges of the High Court.
According to a statement by the JSC, the list of twenty Magistrates was arrived at following the process of evaluation of the various applicants interviewed for the vacancies.
The positions of the Judges of the High Court were advertised by the JSC on March 14, 2022.
"After lengthy deliberations and careful consideration of the performance of the various candidates and based on the constitutional imperative of merit, gender, regional balance and affirmative action, the JSC has recommended the appointment of the underlisted to the Office of Judge of the High Court," read the statement signed by Chief Justice Martha Koome.
Those recommended for appointment include Gichohi Patricia Njeri, Mongare Josephine Wayua Wambua, Nyaundi Patricia Mande, Kavedza Diana Rachel, Chirchir Sophie Chebet, and Sifuna Nixon Wanyama.
Others are Shariff Mwanaisha Saida, Nyaga Heston Mbogo, Chigiti John Mugwimi, Mulwa Peter Mutua, Nthiga Lawrence Mugambi, Mutai Gregory, and Wananda John Robert Anuro.
According to the JSC presser, the names of the candidates proposed by the Commission will now be submitted to President William Ruto for appointment.
Mohochi Samwel Mukira, Olel Francis Rayola Ochieng Odhiambo, Githiru Freda Mugambi, Magare Dennis Kizito Ng'wono, Macharia Florence Wangari, Odera Teresa Achieng, and VisramAleem Alnshir were also cleared for the jobs.
The announcement of the candidates by the JSC followed weeks of pressure on Chief Justice Martha Koome for delaying the release of names of successful candidates who were interviewed to be judges.
The names were to be announced on November 18 according to the law but JSC did not communicate on the matter when the time lapsed.
Upon the appointment by President Ruto, the 20 will help address the biting shortage and speed up the hearing and determination of cases.
All eyes will now turn to President Ruto as the country awaits his action on the list seconded to him by the JSC.
President William Ruto on September 13 appointed the six judges that were recommended for during the former president Uhuru Kenyatta's regime.
Kenyatta had rejected the nominations of High Court Justices Joel Ngugi, George Odunga, Aggrey Muchelule and Weldon Korir to the Appellate court and other Judges of the High Court “for failing to meet the required threshold”.
