Magistrates fault Uhuru over choice of judges

NAIROBI, KENYA: Kenya Magistrates and Judges Association has expressed concern over the appointment of 11 judges out of the 25 recommended by the JSC

They are saying that out of the 11 appointees none is a serving magistrate notwithstanding that 7 serving magistrates had been recommended by JSC for appointment.

Bryan Khaemba, Secretary General of Magistrate Association said the negative perception arising from this decision is completely demoralising to the ranks of serving judicial officers more so the magistracy.

The judges association said that the nomination were made 6 months ago and the arm of the government was involved at various levels of nomination process.

“We strongly feel that the magistrates have been discriminated against which runs counter to the letter and spirit of constitution,” he said.

In view of the provisions of article 166 of the constitution, the magistrates association has urged the JSC to stay firm on its mandate.

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The executive is represented in the JSC in concurrence with LSK statement issued over the weekend, the magistrate association said prior to nomination of appointees one would have expected that any advance report against the nominees will have been highlighted at the earlier stages.

“We are committed to the transformation agenda of the judiciary which cannot be achieved without bolstering of the low number of serving judicial officer.” Judges team was represented by Wachira Letizia, Rashid Omar, Derick Kuto, and Bryana Khaemba.