President William Ruto on Wednesday, May 3, nominated former Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto and Caroline Nzilani Ajuoga to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
The announcement was made by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula during a session at the Parliament Buildings in Nairobi.
The two, Ruto and Nzilani, were nominated to represent the public as members of the Commission led by Chief Justice Martha Koome.
"Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Orders 42, I wish to convey a message from President William Ruto, in which he has nominated persons to the Judicial Service Commission," National Speaker Moses Wetangula stated.
"In the message, the President conveyed that in exercise of the powers conferred on him by Article 128 of the Constitution and Sections 3 & 5 of the Public Appointment Act, 2011, he presented the list of nominees," Wetangula stated.
Their names will be forwarded to the Justice and Legal Affairs (JLAC) Committee for formal vetting before their appointments are ratified.
JSC is an independent commission established under the Constitution of Kenya. The main function of the JSC is to promote and facilitate the independence and accountability of the Judiciary in Kenya.
The commission is responsible for the appointment, promotion, and removal of judges and magistrates in Kenya.
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) is composed of eleven members, including the Chief Justice, who serves as the chairperson, the Attorney General, a representative of the Law Society of Kenya, and other members appointed by the President with the approval of Parliament.
The recruitment of the other members of the JSC is governed by Article 171 of the Constitution of Kenya, which sets out the qualifications and criteria for appointment.
The President is required to appoint four members, subject to the approval of Parliament, as follows:
1Two members nominated by the Parliamentary Service Commission, one of whom must be a woman;
One member nominated by the Public Service Commission; and
One member nominated by a panel of two nominees selected by the Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya.
To be eligible for appointment to the JSC, a person must meet the following qualifications and criteria:
1. Be a citizen of Kenya;
2. Have at least fifteen years' experience in a profession relevant to the functions of the JSC;
3. Be a person of integrity, impartiality, and sound judgment;
4. Have knowledge and experience in matters of law, governance, or public administration; and
5. Not be a member of Parliament or a county assembly, or hold any other public office or position that is incompatible with membership of the JSC.
The recruitment process for members of the JSC involves a rigorous selection process that includes nominations, public vetting, and parliamentary approval.
This process is designed to ensure that only the most qualified and suitable candidates are appointed to the commission.
The specific functions of the JSC include:
1. Appointing judges and magistrates: The JSC is responsible for appointing judges and magistrates in Kenya through a competitive and transparent process.
2. Promoting and disciplining judges and magistrates: The JSC is responsible for promoting judges and magistrates based on merit and for disciplining them if they engage in misconduct or unethical behavior.
3. Managing the Judiciary's finances: The JSC is responsible for managing the Judiciary's finances, including the allocation of resources for the Judiciary's operations.
4. Developing policies for the Judiciary: The JSC is responsible for developing policies for the Judiciary, including policies for the efficient administration of justice and the protection of the rights of all parties involved in court cases.
