Gender Commission seeks to stop Justice Lenaola’s nomination

National Gender and Equality Commission has filed a petition seeking interim orders staying the swearing in and gazettement of Judge Isaac Lenaola as a Supreme Court judge.

In the affidavit, sworn by its chairperson Winfred Osimbo Lichuma, the commission argues that the recommendation was made in violation of Article 10, Section 27, subsection 127 (b) and Article 232 (1)(I) of the Constitution on two-third gender principle.

The commission further claims that on 15 July 2016 it did issue an advisory to JSC on the matter through its secretary and the Chief Registrar Anne Amadi.

High Court Judge Joseph Onguto however declined to stop Lenaola’s nomination and gazettement but certified the matter as urgent and directed that the respondents be furnished with details of the case ahead of an inter-party hearing on November 2.

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has been named as a respondent to the case with, Lenaola named as 1st interested party in the case.

Lenaola was nominated to the position on Tuesday to replace retired Judge Philip Tunoi after two weeks of interviews.