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Kenya's top judiciary organ nominates new chief justice

Xinhua, September 22, 2016 Adjust font size:

Kenya's top judiciary body on Thursday nominated Court of Appeal judge, Justice David Maraga, as the country's next chief justice to replace Willy Mutunga who retired in June.

The Judiciary Service Commission (JSC), which has finalized the process of evaluation of the various candidates interviewed for the position, said it has submitted Maraga's name to the president for formal appointment.

"The JSC has after lengthy deliberations recommended Justice Maraga for appointment as chief justice, and has submitted the name to the president," JCS chairperson Margaret Kobia said in a statement issued in Nairobi.

The 64-year-old Maraga was the third applicant to face the vetting JSC panel during the chief justice interviews.

Maraga told the panel that he would fast-track the implementation of the Legal Aid Act to ensure that justice is accessible to all.

He also said that he would strive to restore public confidence in the judiciary by hiring investigators to look into complaints against judges and magistrates.

Before being appointed a judge, Maraga was in active private practice for 25 years covering criminal and civil litigations as well as conveyance. In October 2003, he was appointed a judge of the High Court and later a Court of Appeal judge in 2011. Endit