Thursday, June 3, 2021 -President Uhuru Kenyatta has refused to clear names of six judges who had been recommended for appointment by the Judicial Service Commission JSC.
Picking and clearing only 34 names out of 40, Uhuru on Thursday June 3, appointed seven judges for Court of Appeal, nine judges in the employment and Labour Relations Court and another 18 in the environment and Land Court.
The unlucky six judges – Aggrey Muchelule, Makori Evans, George Odunga, Weldon Korir, Prof Joel Ngugi and Judith Omange will have to be send back to the JSC for replacement.
On his part, Ngugi was part of the judges who recently tore into the Building Bridges Initiative BBI claiming it was an illegal enterprise.
The nine judges appointed by the president in the Employment and Labour Relations Court are Baari Christine Noontatua, Gakeri Jacob Kariuki, Keli Jemima Wanza, Mwaure Ann Ngibuini, Matanga Bernard Odongo Manani, Rutto Stella Chemtai, Kebira Ocharo, Kitiku Agnes Mueni-Nzei, and Nderitu David Njagi
For the Court of Appeal, Msagha Amraphael Mbogholi, Omondi Hellen, Ngugi Grace, Francis Tuiyott, Pauline Nyaboke, Jessie Lesiit and Kibaya Laibuta.
Judges appointed in the Environment and Land Court who included, Mboya Oguttu Joseph, Naikuni Lucas Leperes, Mwanyale Michael Ngolo, Addraya Edda Dena, Kimani Lilian Gathoni, Kamau Joseph Mugo, Wabwoto Karoph Edward, and Koross Anne Yatich Kipingor.
Other names in the list include Gicheru Maxwell Nduiga, Mogeni Ann Jacqueline Akhalemesi, Ongarora Fred Nyagaka, Christopher Kyania Nzili, Mugo David Mwangi, Omollo Lynette Achieng’, Washe Emmanuel Mutwana, Nyukuri Annet, Murigi Theresa Wairimu, and Asati Esther.
The development was gazetted in a notice published on Thursday evening in what many would claim was informed by the current hurdles the executive is facing as far as the Building Bridges Initiative BBI is concerned.
These names were supposed to be appointed during the David Maraga era but because of the then working differences between the Executive and Judiciary, the process was suddenly put on hold.
The lengthy stalemate resulted in a fierce blame game that boiled down to a very poor working relationship between the top political class and the Judiciary.
Unfortunately, one of the 41 names forwarded to the president’s table died last year. Harrison Ogweno Okeche was to serve in the Employment and Labour Court.