Justice David Maraga Kenani is now the new nominated Chief Justice of the Republic of Kenya.
The Judicial Service Commission has nominated Justice David Maraga Kenani for appointment as Chief Justice.
Justice David Maraga Kenani’s name will be forwarded to the President, Uhuru Kenyatta, for a formal appointment and forwarded to National Assembly for approval by MPs.
Maraga, 66, was named the top candidate after beating a list of 13 candidates who applied to be the Chief Justice, candidates included Supreme Court judges Jackton Boma Ojwang’ and Smokin Wanjala, outspoken law scholar Makau Mutua among others.
If approved, Maraga will take over from Justice Willy Mutunga who retired from office a few months ago. JSC received 14 applications for the vacancy of Chief Justice after advertising the position.
The applicants were: Justice Alnashir Visram, Lady Justice Roselyne N. Nambuye, Justice Mbogholi Msagha, Prof. Makau Mutua, Justice Smokin Wanjala, Mr. David Mwaure Waihiga, Justice David Maraga, Dr. Isaac Rutenberg, Rtd Justice Aaron Ringera, Mr. Philip Nzamba Kitonga, Ms. Lucy Wanja Julius, Justice Prof. Jackton Ojwang, Mr. Kongani Udoto Kongani Paul Andrew and Amb. Daniel Wambura.
Below is the list of Kenya’s Chief Justices since independence.
Independent Kenya Chief Justices Period Served
Sir John Ainsley 1963- 1968
Arthur Dennis Farrel 1968
Kitili Mwendwa 1968 -1971
Sir James Wicks 1971 – 1982
Sir Alfred Henry Simpson 1982 – 1985
Chunilal Bhagwandas Madan 1985 – 1986
Cecil Henry Ethelwood Miller 1986 – 1989
Robin Allan Winston Hancox 1989 – 1993
Fred Kwasi Apaloo 1993 – 1994
Abdul Majid Cockar 1994 – 1997
Zachaeus Richard Chesoni 1997 – 1999
Bernard Chunga 1999 – 2003
Johnson Evans Gicheru 2003 – 2011
Willy Munyoki Mutunga 2011 – 2016
