Olive Mugenda - President's Nominee
Ignores Petition Against her Nomination
Former Kenyatta University vice chancellor Olive Mugenda yesterday dismissed a petition challenging her suitability to sit in the Judicial Service Commission.
Mugenda appeared before the National Assembly Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs and said the allegations contained in an affidavit by George Lukoye were untrue and pending in court.
“I have never been charged in a court of law. The matter is pending in court that is all I can say for now,” Mugenda, who has been nominated by President Uhuru Kenyatta to represent nonlawyers in the JSC, told the committee.
Makokha in his affidavit challenged the role of Mugenda in the acquisition of a campus in Kigali, Rwanda and her integrity.
Mugenda told the committee she has a track record and exemplary leadership abilities and should the committee approve her nomination, she will help to transform the Judiciary.
Mugenda said she is worth Sh60 million. She said there is need to digitise services in the Judiciary to reduce cases of corruption.
“I am good at writing strategic plans. I will use my expertise to build the capacity of judicial officers,” she said.
Felix Koskei - President's nominee
Dismisses Corruption Allegations
Former Agriculture CS yesterday told a parliamentary committee the corruption allegations levelled against him were a fabrication by “enemies of development”.
Speaking when he appeared before the National Assembly’s
committee
on Justice and Legal Affairs which was vetting him for the position of Judicial Service Commission member, Koskei said he has never recorded a statement with the EACC.
“The enemies of development sneaked my name into the envelope that was tabled in Parliament. I went to the EACC to find out the allegations, but they had nothing against me. From that day to date, no one has ever contacted me,” Koskei told the committee.
Koskei stepped down in 2015 to pave way for investigations into corruption allegations. He told the committee he is worth Sh867 million.
Koskei promised that should his name sail through the vetting process, he will team up with other commissioners in the JSC to deal with corruption and ensure efficiency in
delivery
of services.
He said he will use his expertise and experience in procurement to put strategies to help the Judiciary and its staff dispense justice on time.
Patrick Gichohi
- Public Service Commission nominee
To use
ICT to ensure accountability
Former Clerk of the National Assembly
Patrick
Gichohi yesterday promised to slay corruption in the Judiciary should the
Committee
on Justice and Legal Affairs approve his name.
Speaking when he appeared before the committee chaired by Baringo North legislator William Cheptumo, Gichohi said he will help put in place accountability structures.
“There is no doubt corruption is a serious issue not only in the
Judiciary but other sectors. There is need to introduce the use of ICT to minimise personal contact that encourages corruption. Whatever an officer does will be monitored,” Gichohi said.
He has been nominated to replace Margaret Kobia who is now the Public Service CS. Gichohi is a career parliamentarian with 33 years of experience.
He promised to push for
policies
that focus on staff development and empowerment. Gichohi called for continuous civic education to educate citizens on the court process. “I will fight for open courts that do not intimidate users,” he said.