The Judicial Service Commission will, on Wednesday, commence interviews for 20 vacancies for judges of the High Court.
With the current number of judges standing at 95 judges out of the possible 200, the commission aims to increase the number in a bid to reduce backlog of cases.
The JSC had shortlisted 100 candidates, among them about 40 magistrates. They include chief magistrates Thomas Nzyoki, Lucas Onyina, Njeri Thuku, Douglas Ogoti, Eunice Nyutu, Benard Ochoi, Felix Kombo and registrar of the Supreme Court Letizia Muthoni.
Other candidates include the chairperson of the Land Acquisition Tribunal Dr Nabil Orina; Ms Priscilla Nyokabi Kanyua, a former Nyeri County MP and also a former commissioner of the National Gender and Equality Commission; Ms Anne Ireri, executive director of Fida Kenya; senior principal state counsel Emmanuel Bitta; Annah Konuche (director of the Council for Legal Education) and Dr Conrad Bosire, a former personal assistant to retired Chief Justice David Maraga.
The JSC said it will be looking for professional competence, which includes intellectual capacity, legal judgment, diligence, substantive and procedural knowledge of the law.
The commission will also be looking for persons with organizational and administrative skills and the ability to work well with a variety of people.
The candidates have to showcase their written and oral communication skills, such as the ability to communicate orally and in writing, the ability to discuss factual and legal issues in clear, logical and accurate legal writing and effectiveness in communicating orally in a way that will readily be understood and respected by people from all walks of life.
Successful candidates have to prove good judgment, including common sense, and the elements include a sound balance between abstract knowledge and practical reality and in particular, demonstrable ability to make prompt decisions that resolve difficult problems in a way that makes practical sense within the constraints of any applicable rules or governing principles.
The candidates have to explain their legal and life experience, including the amount and breadth of legal experience and the suitability of that experience for the position.
These include trial and other courtroom experience, administrative skills, and broader qualities reflected in life experiences, such as the diversity of personal and educational history, exposure to persons of demonstrable interests and cultural backgrounds, and in areas outside the legal field.
The vacancies were announced in June last year and the commission received a total of 377 applications which were reduced to 100.
After completing the interviews, the JSC will, within seven days, notify the candidates of the outcome before transmitting the names to President William Ruto for appointment.
