President Uhuru Kenyatta has rejected the names of six judges as he finally gazetted appointments of 34 out of the 40 judges that had been recommended by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) in 2019.
Among the six names rejected on Thursday June 3, 2021 are the judges that issued a ruling that stopped the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) reggae.
They include Aggrey Muchelule, George Odunga, Weldon Korir and Prof Joel Ngugi who were recommended for the Court of Appeal.
Ngugi was the judge who led the team which cut short the BBI train. Odunga was part of the team.
Judges approved for the Court of Appeal are Msagha Mbogholi, Hellen Omondi, Mumbi Ngugi, Francis Tuiyott, Pauline Nyamweya, Jessie Lesiit, and Imaana Laibuta.
The nine judges appointed by the president to be Judges of 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.
The president has also appointed 18 judges to serve as Judges of the Environment and Land Court.
They are 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.
Others are 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.
In July 2019, the JSC interviewed and selected the 41 judges and recommended them for appointment by the President.
Some 11 names were forwarded for appointment as Court of Appeal judges and 30 for the High Court. One person has since died.
The list of the 41 judges was forwarded to the president for appointment in 2019 during the tenure of former CJ David Maraga.
In mid-2020, Maraga tried to push the president to appoint the names forwarded to him but he did not receive any response from Uhuru.