Vetting Board Sacks Four Magistrates

The four magistrates; Ireri Anne Irungu, Dennis Abraham Kinaro, Teresa Muthoni Mwangi, and Michael Oduor Kizito had appealed the decision to have them removed from office.

At the same time, the board reversed its initial decision that had found thirteen magistrates unsuitable and declared them suitable to serve in the corridors of justice

“We wish to stress that had it not been for the finding of the Supreme Court that our mandate is limited to conduct before the effective date these applications for review may not have succeeded,” said Board Chairman Sharad Rao.

While delivering the twelfth announcement at Anniversary Towers, Board Chairman Sharad Rao said the decision was reached at after a review of their applications on the ground that their conduct, acts and omissions occurred after 27th October 2010.

The Board also found Irene Marcia Kahuya, Caroline Kerage, Anne Nyoike, Mary Wanja Njagi, and Robison Ondieki suitable but declared Nambafu Celestous Sindano unsuitable.

On 26th March 2014, Justice Ngugi declared in Nairobi High Court Constitutional Petition No. 64 of 2014 that the Board’s jurisdiction to assess the suitability of judges and magistrates who were in office on the date the constitution came into effect was limited to matters that arose before promulgation of the constitution.

Rao said that in the spirit of devolution, the Board will for the first time hold vetting sessions outside Nairobi.

The pilot project will kick off on Monday next week in Western Kenya and Kisumu.

“As from next week namely commencing 26th January 2015, the Board shall conduct vetting outside Nairobi for the first time.

The Board has in the first phase summoned magistrates from the larger Western Kenya region and beyond to Kisumu,” said Rao.

The Rao-led team lost a total of 9 months last year due to the pendency of Court proceedings on the extend of its mandate.

The term of the Board expires on 31st December 2015.

By Kennedy Aseka