House committee to vet Koome for CJ post

Mercy Mwai @wangumarci

The National Assembly  Justice and Legal Affairs Committee will vet Martha Koome for the position of Chief Justice. 

If approved, Koome will succeed the retired Chief Justice David Maraga.

Committee chaired by Kangema lawmaker Muturi Kigano is expected to commence the exercise at 10am at the County Hall mini chamber. 

“The Justice and Legal Affairs Committee will meet on the vetting of the Chief Justice nominee Martha Koome on Thursday,  May 13 at 10am at County Hall – mini chamber,” said a brief from the committee.

Exercise commences after the Clerk of the National Assembly, Michael Sialai, in a Gazette notice dated April 30 invited members of the public to share their submissions in support or against Koome’s nomination by the Judicial Service Commission.

 The National Assembly Standing Orders provide that the committee should notify Justice Koome and the public of the time and place of holding the approvals.

Committee has 28 days to make a decision on the matter and table a report to the House on or before May 25 for either approval or rejection.

 “The committee invites interested members of the public to submit any representations they may have, by written statements (affidavits) with supporting evidence on the suitability or otherwise of the nominee for appointment to the office,” the gazette notice

 Vetting  comes at a time when Koome has engaged in an altercation with Law Society of Kenya President Nelson Havi.

Koome had threatened to sue Havi for allegedly defaming her while seeking the position of CJ.