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{
"id": 1122171,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1122171/?format=api",
"text_counter": 304,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Omogeni",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 13219,
"legal_name": "Erick Okong'o Mogeni",
"slug": "erick-okongo-mogeni"
},
"content": "Arising from that process, the JSC in compliance of all the constitutional provisions and statutory provisions undertook a comprehensive exercise on recruitment of judges. As a way of background, on 15th April, 2019, the JSC gave notice of vacancies and invited applicants to apply for vacant positions of judges which were given as follows. On the Court of Appeal, they had 11 vacancies. In the environment and land division of the High Court, they had 20 vacancies. In the employment and labour relations, they declared 20 vacancies. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the Committee was able to ascertain that in order to make the exercise very transparent, the JSC did proceed. On 22nd February, 2019, they actually carried an advert in the daily newspapers inviting qualified Kenyans to offer themselves as candidates to be interviewed for the aforesaid position. The adverts attracted a number of qualified candidates who applied for those positions. In the case of the Court of Appeal, we had a total of 113 qualified Kenyans who applied and the JSC as is required by law shortlisted a total of 35 candidates from that number. After interviews, they were able to select 11 persons. Out of these 11 persons, some development has taken place during the pendency of this Statement. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I want to report to the House that His Excellency the President has since gazetted and sworn in seven judges of the Court of Appeal. The number of judges remaining to be appointed has since now changed to four instead of the initial 11. In the position of judge on the environment and land court, a total of 229 Kenyans expressed interest. In the employment and labour relations, we had a total of 160 applicants. In the land and environment, we only had 20 vacancies. In the employment and labour court, we had ten. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, a number of developments have taken place since then. Out of the list of ten names that were forwarded to the President for the labour and employment, the President has since appointed all the judges. The matter is mute on that particular division. However, on the land and environment, the President has declined as of today to appoint two judges, Evans Kiago Makori and Judy Cheruiyot Elizabeth Omange. Those are the two candidates who have since not been appointed to their respective positions. In total, as of today, the names that have concern to the Senate are six, four judges of the Court of Appeal and two judges of the High Court. Sadly, out of the 41 candidates whose names were forwarded to the President during this long wait, one of them unfortunately died. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, on behalf of this Senate, we want to send our condolences to the widow and children of that family. We were able to get reports that the family faced very agonising moments because they waited for a period of more than one year three months for the husband of the home to be sworn in as a Judge, but he died before realising his dreams. It is a very sad happening and we want to register our condolences to the family. He died before realising his dream of becoming a judge. In the course of preparation of this report, we have looked at various jurisdictions. What runs through is that most progressive countries have tried to take away this power"
}