Mwilu not on list of those in race to replace Maraga as CJ

Thirteen people among them five judges have applied to become the county's next Chief Justice.

Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu was not on the list released last evening by the Judicial Service Commission.

Among the applicants are President of the Court of Appeal William Ouko, Court of Appeal Judge Martha Koome as well as High Court judges Said Chitembwe and Nduma Nderi and their Employment and Labour Relations colleague Gitonga Marete.

Also on the list are senior counsels Fred Ngatia, Philip Murgor, Patricia Mbote and Alice Yano as well as Prof Otunga Mare.

The JSC also announced that nine people had applied to become a judge of the Supreme Court as a replacement for Justice JB Ojwang who retired in February last year.

Among those who applied are Court of Appeal Judge Kathurima M'Inoti, High Court Judge Joseph Sergon and Prof Lumumba Nyaberi.

The deadline for applications for the post of the CJ and a judge of the Supreme Court was Tuesday, February 9 at 5pm.

Senior Counsel Murgor said he presented his application 15 minutes to the deadline.

Mr Murgor is a former Director of Public Prosecutions and has been in legal practice for over 34 years.

Once they meet, the JSC will conduct reference checks in an effort to review, verify and supplement information provided by applicants.

The Commission will also communicate to the applicants’ referees and former employers who will be asked to comment on the applicant’s candidature and get background information.

“Applicants must take note that it is a criminal offence to provide false information and documents in the job application and the same will be verified by relevant bodies,” a gazette notice by acting Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu on January 18 warned.

The next CJ will be the third after the promulgation of the constitution and will be earning a salary of between Sh900,000 and Sh1,327,888.