Chief Justice applicant withdraws from Mutunga Succession contest

Paul Andrew Kongani Udoto, an applicant for the position of the Chief Justice has withdrawn his candidature.

Kongani, who appeared before the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) – which is headed by the Public Service Commission (PSC) chair, Prof Margaret Kobia, told the vetting panel that the requirements for the job were discriminatory against the youth, most of them who are inexperienced.

According to Article 163 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010, for one to qualify for the position of the CJ, they must have at least fifteen years experience as a superior court judge or at least fifteen years experience as a distinguished academic, judicial officer, legal practitioner or such experience in other relevant legal field.

Kongani, who also works as a carpenter, is a student at the Kenya School of Law and was among seven candidates who had been left out of an earlier JSC shortlist.

The applicants were, however, included following a High Court ruling that all of them be reviewed.