MPs approve Maraga’s nomination as Chief Justice

The National Assembly has approved the nomination of Court of Appeal Judge, David Kenani Maraga, as the new Chief Justice.

After submissions by several MPs, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Justin Muturi, moved the motion on Maraga’s appointment, which was passed unanimously, by MPs from both Jubilee and the opposition Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD).

The approval sets the stage for Maraga’s swearing on Wednesday.

Maraga was nominated to the CJ position by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), after a week of interviews, to succeed Dr Willy Mutunga who retired in June this year.

His name was then sent to the president who forwarded it to the National Assembly for vetting.

Once sworn in, Maraga’s first task will be to swear in a selection panel that will be responsible for vetting new commissioners of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).