Parliament is on Thursday set to vet two Judicial Service Commission (JSC) nominees recently nominated by President William Ruto.
The two former, Bomet Governor Isaac Rutto and Caroline Nzilani will appear before the National Assembly’s Justice and Legal Affairs committee (JLAC).
The notice inviting them to appear before the panel follows a two-week window period in which the public was to submit views on their suitability to serve in the Commission.
“In compliance with the Constitution and section 118(I) (b) of the Constitution and section 6 (9) of the public appointments (parliamentary approval) Act 2100, the departmental committee on justice and legal affairs hereby invite the public to submit any representations they may have, by way of written statements on oath (affidavits) with supporting evidence contesting suitability of the nominees for appointment as members of the judicial service commission,” a notice by Clerk Samuel Njoroge stated.
Their nomination was communicated by Speaker Moses Wetangula on the floor of the House on May 3.
"In the message, the President conveyed that in the exercise of the powers conferred on him by Article 128 of the Constitution and Sections 3 & 5 of the Public Appointment Act, 2011, he presented the list of nominees,” Wetangula said.
During today’s session, they were required to present original academic documents including other testimonials on the vetting day.
If approved, the nominees will join other members of the powerful commission tasked with the appointment, promotion, and removal of judges and magistrates in Kenya.
Its main function is to promote and facilitate the independence and accountability of the Judiciary in Kenya.
It is composed of 11 members including the Chief Justice, who serves as the chairperson.
The President appoints two members- a man and a woman to represent the public- subject to approval by Parliament.
Recruitment of the other members is governed by Article 171 of the Constitution of Kenya, which sets out the qualifications and criteria for appointment.
Other members are the Supreme Court Judge (1), Court of Appeal judge (1), High court judge (1), Magistrate (1), Attorney General, advocates (one woman and one man), and one person nominated by the Public Service Commission.