The interviews for the vacant position of Chief Justice resume this morning, with Lucy Wanja, the second woman applicant, appearing before the JSC panel.
Wanja and justice Roselyn Nambuye are the only women out of the 13 applicants who sought to replace former CJ Willy Mutunga.
The Judicial Service Commission has interviewed 10 candidates. Only one candidate, Paul Udoto, bowed out of the race because he did not meet the minimum qualifications.
Law scholar Makau Mutua will appear before the panel on Wednesday, while Supreme Court judge Jackton Ojwang will be the last candidate to be interviewed, on Thursday. The last seven candidates had been locked out of the race but they were reconsidered, following a court order.
Those who have been interviewed include High Court judge Msagah Mbogholi, Appeal judge Alnashir Visram, lawyer Nzamba Kitonga, Supreme Court judge Smokin Wanjala, justice David Maraga, former anti-graft czar Aaron Ringera and lawyer Daniel Wambura.
The Law Society of Kenya said it was impressed by the interviews and will support whoever is picked to head the Judiciary. Speaking to the Star on the phone, LSK president Isaac Okero said the fact that the interviews are being conducted in the open give credence to the exercise.
“The proceedings have so far gone well and more candidates are scheduled for interview. We as LSK support the process,” he said. Okero added it is premature to give a position.
The JSC will take a break of about two weeks after interviewing Justice Ojwang’, before resuming interviews for the position of Deputy Chief Justice.
Some 16 candidates have been lined up for the interviews. David Waihiga is the only man on the list.
Unlike the interviews for CJ, two candidates will be interviewed each day for the position of DCJ.
One will appear in the morning and the other in the afternoon. High Court Judge Abida Ali-Aroni will be the first to appear before the panel on September 26
She will be followed by Court of Appeal judge Agnes Murgor in the afternoon.
The Supreme Court is currently paralysed. It lacks quorum after three judges exited in June. As composed, the court can only hear very urgent matters that can be handled by a single judge.