By Peter Ochieng
Interviews for Court of Appeal Judges have been postponed for the second time, within a month.
The interviews which were initially scheduled to run from 3rd to 20th June, were pushed forward to between 18th June (today) and 9th July, 2024.
According to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), the interviews have been postponed to a later date, following the death of Principal Magistrate Monica Kivuti.
Until he demise on Friday night, Kivuti was serving at the Makadara Law Courts in Nairobi. She succumbed to gunshot wounds, after she was attacked by a police officer during an active court session on Thursday afternoon.
JSC Secretary Winfridah Mokaya in a statement said the Judiciary will take time to honour the life and service of Magistrate Monica Kivuti, before conducting the much awaited interviews.
“Hon. Kivuti was a valued member of the Judiciary team, known for her unwavering commitment in upholding the rule of law and profound professionalism and dedication in ensuring justice for all. The JSC extends the deepest condolences to Hon Kivuti’s family, friends and all those who had the privilege of working with her.”
New dates for the interviews will be announced later.
JSC had shortlisted 41 candidates for the Court of Appeal judge position, from a list of 82 who had expressed interest. The Commission is seeking to fill 11 Court of Appeal judges’ positions.
Some of the candidates include former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chair Ahmed Issack Hassan, Justices Nduma Nderi, Antony Mrima, Grace Nzioka, Elijah Ogoti, Alfred Mabeya and Katwa Kigen (President William Ruto’s lawyer at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Some of the notable names that missed out on the list were the immediate former IEBC chair Wafula Chebukati and former Nyeri County Woman Representative Priscilla Nyokabi.