Former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Ahmed Hassan Issack was among 41 applicants shortlisted for the position of the Court of Appeal Judge.

This was after Chief Justice Martha Koome, who is also the chairperson of the Judicial service Commission (JSC) on Tuesday April 23, 2024 released the names of 41 applicants who were shortlisted for the position of Court of Appeal Judge. 

Meanwhile, the name of former IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati was not among those who were shortlisted, even though he was among the 82 people who applied for the job. 

“The JSC having reviewed the applications for completeness and conformity with the requirements as set out in the advertisement, shortlisted forty one (41) candidates.

“It is notified for general information that the JSC will be conducting interviews for the posts of Judge of the Court of Appeal from 3rd to 20th June 2024,” read part of JSC notice.

At the same time, the Chief Justice invited comments from members of the public regarding the conduct of the shortlisted candidates by May 13, 2024.

“Members of the public are invited to avail in writing any information of interest in respect to any of the shortlisted candidates.

“Take note that the Commission may interview any member of the public who has submitted information on any of the shortlisted candidates and such information shall be kept confidential,” read part of the notice.

All the interviews will be conducted at Central Bank of Kenya’s Pension Towers along Harambee Avenue, in Nairobi.

This was after JSC on February 9, 2024 invited applications for eleven vacancies from qualified persons wishing to be considered for appointment to the position of Judges of the Court of Appeal.

The application deadline for the position was on February 29, 2024, as the commission embarked on processing the 82 applications.

After the shortlisting, the 41 applicants are now set to battle for the 11 vacancies at the Court of Appeal.

Those who were shortlisted for the job include Issack Hassan, Justice Chacha Mwita, Athony Murima, Grace Nzioka, James Wakiaga, and Dalmas Omondi.

On the other hand, Chebukati’s application for the job had caused a political storm in the country, as Azimio leaders led by Raila Odinga claimed that President William Ruto was planning to make him Chief Justice before the 2027 general elections. 

Raila had claimed that President Ruto’s government was planning to establish a friendly Judiciary in preparation for the 2027 general elections.

However, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi defended Chebukati, insisting that the former IEBC chairperson has a right to become Chief Justice, just like any other Kenyan. 

“The Judicial Service Commission is independent, and it has the right to recruit anybody who qualifies to be a judge of this republic. So it’s wrong for the Azimio leadership to start determining who the JSC should recruit,” Mudavadi said.