Five candidates were vetted yesterday as the process of vetting those wishing to be High Court judges concluded. One of the candiates, Justice (rtd) Samuel Mukunya was interviewed in camera but no reasons were given by the JSC. The commission has earlier raised eyebrows among lawyers when i

 Embu chief magistrate Nargaret Wachira narrated to the JSC how she was attacked by goons because of her clean and incorruptible manner of handling cases. She also said that after the PEV of 2008, she was forced to commute from Nairobi daily because she could not find a residence in Nakuru.<

Nairobi chief magistrate Gilbert Mutembei was accused of turning his court intoa conveyor belt of acquittals. He was put to task to explain why he never took action when crucial witnesses in cases involving prominent Kenyans were not presented in court to give evidence. A case in point is the lan

Rev Samuel Kobia said he would not impose fundamentalism on the JSC. President Kibaki nominated hin to the JSC to replace Bishop Antony Muheria who resigned in April. He told the CIOC that he respects all religions and their points of view.

The High Court will in Agust 25 determine the case challenging the appointment of Supreme Court Judges. The judges hearing the case, Judges John Mwera, Mohammed Warsame and Philomena Mwilu set the verdict date after hearing arguments from the parties in the suit.

JSC wants a petition challenging its nomination of Supreme Court Judges dismissed, terming it unconstitutional. Lawyer Pheroze Nowrojee told a three judge bench that JSC met all the conditions set out in the constitution and Judicial Service Act of apponting five judges.

Candidates appearing before the JSC said the welfare of judicial officers is key to reducing graft. Magistrates who want to be judges told the JSC that many officers take bribers because they are lowly paid.

JSC seems to be focusing on experience three weeks into the interviews for High Court judges. The interviews are running concurrently with the selection of those to sit on the Judges and Magistrates Vetting Board. JSC is keen on candidates with experience on commercial, constitutional, criminal a