Magistrates oppose Judicial Service Commission's hiring criteria

Kenya; A move by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to lock out serving magistrates from applying for 66 senior positions advertised in daily newspapers on Friday has sparked disquiet in the Judiciary.

JSC invited applications for six slots of chief magistrate and 60 slots for senior resident magistrate, but directed that only those not serving in the Judiciary are eligible to apply.

Some magistrates are questioning why non-serving lawyers, who lack experience, should be hired as chief magistrates, when there are over 50 senior principal magistrates and over 100 resident magistrates who could be promoted to such positions.

Conducted for comment, the Kenya Magistrates and Judges Association (KMJA) Secretary General Bryan Khaemba said judicial officers had raised their concerns with him. "This is a serious and sensitive matter over which we will hold a meeting on Friday," Khaemba, also Senior Resident Magistrate, Kibera Law Courts, said.

"As a matter of fact, the KMJA Executive Council met last Friday and resolved that all magistrates converge in Nairobi tomorrow, Friday 6 to discuss on the way-forward," he said.

"I confirm there is very low morale, discontent and disquiet across various ranks of the magistracy."