CJ nominee Lady Justice Martha Koome to be vetted on May 13

Lady Justice Martha Koome, the nominee for the position of Chief Justice of Kenya, will be vetted on May 13, 2021.

In a notice published in the local dailies on Friday, the Clerk of the National Assembly Michael Sialai said the vetting will be conducted in the Mini-Chamber County Hall, Parliament Buildings at 10am.

“The Committee is required under Article 118(1)(b) of the Constitution of Kenya to involve the public in the approval hearing of the nominee. In addition, section 6(9) of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act (No. 33 of 2010 provides that ‘any person may, prior to the approval hearing and by written statement on oath, provide the Clerk with evidence contesting the suitability of a candidate to hold the office to which the candidate has been nominated,” the notice reads.

Members of the public have been notified to submit any representations they may have by written statements (affidavits) with supporting evidence on the suitability or otherwise of the nominee for appointment to the office.

Representations are to be forwarded to the Clerk of the National Assembly before May 12, 2021 at 5pm.

This can be done either via mail P.O. Box 41842-00100. Nairobi or hand-delivery to the Office of the Clerk at the Main Parliament Buildings, Nairobi.

The representations can also be sent via email to clerk@iparliament.go.ke

The Judicial Service Commission unanimously selected Martha Koome and forwarded her name to President Uhuru Kenyatta on April 27.

Lady Justice Koome, who has an estimated 33 years in the legal profession, was among 10 candidates who were interviewed for the position.

This was the second time she was making a stab at the position of Chief Justice.

Koome joined the Judiciary in 2003, prior to which she was a human rights defender.