Why law professor Makau Mutua, Ringera were locked out of CJ shortlist

Lack of clearance letters from government institutions kept outspoken law professor Makau Mutua off the Chief Justice shortlist.

Sources at the Judicial Service Commission, Mutua's application was not accepted because it did lacked copies of clearance letters from the KRA, Helb and the DCI.

Applicants needed clearance certificates from KRA, Helb, the Law Society of Kenya, DCI, the Advocates Complaints Commission, the EACC and a recognised credit reference bureau

Mutua has fiercely criticised the legitimacy of Uhuru Kenyatta as President and his administration.

Read: Makau Mutua, Aaron Ringera fail to make CJ shortlist as JSC pick six

The Star also learnt that the 2003 radical surgery that saw 23 judges disgraced cost former anti-corruption commission chief Aaron Ringera a place on the shortlist.

"The commission felt he failed to conduct a fair process and as such he will not be able to inspire the institution and command the respect of judges and magistrates," the source said.

The panel said it was also concerned Ringera might not be committed.

Ringera quit the judiciary twice, first as a High Court judge when he took up the solicitor general job and the second time when he left as appeal judge to take up the anti-graft post.

The commission concluded that the retired judge might leave the judiciary if given the post formerly held by Willy Mutunga.

Read: Makau Mutua's bulky 85-page CV that JSC rejected

Supreme Court judge Jacktone Boma Ojwang was locked out because of a pending disciplinary case before the JSC.

Others not shortlisted were David Mwaure, Isaac Rutenberg, Daniel Wambura and Kongani Udoto.

Applicants who made it to the shortlist were justices Smokin Wanjala, Alnashir Visram, David Maraga, Roselyne Nambuye, Msagah Mbogholi and lawyer Nzamba Kitonga.

They will be subjected to review processes that will allow members of the public to submit observations or complaints about them.

Source