Court stops recruitment of Kenya National Human Rights Commission officials

By WILFRED AYAGA

The High Court has granted orders halting interviews for the chair and commissioners to the Kenya National Human Rights Commission (KNHRC).

Justice Isaac Lenaola directed the interview panel to stop the exercise that was to begin tomorrow to allow the Attorney General to respond to a petition that had been filed by politician Brian Weke and Japheth Mukira challenging the decision to re-advertise the the positions.

Th two had moved to court arguing that Parliament had erred in calling for fresh applications for the nine positions after a panel had conducted three interviews and submitted the names of successful candidates to the President. In their petition, they faulted the President for failing to submit the names for approval or rejection by Parliament.

The court’s orders further muddy the process which has been mired in controversy since last year, when the names of successful candidates were submitted by the panel.

Justice Lenaola in his directions asked the Attorney General to respond to the petition within the next seven days, to enable the court make a determination of the issues raised.