Petition 206 of 2020
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detoxxderrickPetition 206 of 2020
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detoxxderrickKatiba Institute v President of Republic of Kenya & 2 others; Judicial
Service Commission & 3 others (Interested Parties) (Petition 206 of 2020)
[2021] KEHC 442 (KLR) (Constitutional and Human Rights) (21 October 2021) (Judgment)
Katiba Institute v President of Republic of Kenya & 2 others; Judicial
Service Commission & 3 others (Interested Parties) [2021] eKLR
Neutral citation: [2021] KEHC 442 (KLR)
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT AT NAIROBI (MILIMANI LAW COURTS)
CONSTITUTIONAL AND HUMAN RIGHTS
PETITION 206 OF 2020
GMA DULU, J WAKIAGA & WM MUSYOKA, JJ
OCTOBER 21, 2021
BETWEEN
KATIBA INSTITUTE ............................................................................. PETITIONER
AND
PRESIDENT OF REPUBLIC OF KENYA ................................... 1ST RESPONDENT
PAUL KIHARA KARIUKI ATTORNEY GENERAL ............... 2ND RESPONDENT
CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA ................... 3RD RESPONDENT
AND
JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION .................................... INTERESTED PARTY
KENYA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION ......................... INTERESTED PARTY
KENYA JUDGES AND MAGISTRATES ASSOCIATION ... INTERESTED PARTY
KENYA SECTION OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION JURISTS (ICJ
KENYA) ..................................................................................... INTERESTED PARTY
Role of the President in the appointment of judges
Reported by Kakai Toili
Constitutional Law – Presidency – functions of the President – appointment of judges and commissioners to
the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) – role of the President in the appointment of judges and Commissioners to
JSC - claim that the President refused to appoint judges based on the recommendation of the JSC - whether persons
nominated to be judges by the JSC could be deemed to be duly appointed as judges where the President refused
to appoint them as such - whether it was mandatory for judges to be sworn in, in the presence of the President –
Constitution of Kenya, 2010, articles 74 and 166(1).
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Constitutional Law – Presidency – presidential immunity - whether the President was immune to litigation
where there were allegations of violation of the Constitution .
Constitutional Law – leadership and integrity – factors to consider in determining violation of leadership and
integrity provisions of the law – claim that the Attorney General was bound by a corporate decision - whether
taking a contrary view in public by the Attorney General on the appointment of judges where the Attorney General
took part in the interviews which recommended the appointment of judges violated the provisions of the Leadership
and Integrity Act - Constitution of Kenya, 2010, articles 73.
Civil Practice and Procedure – joinder of parties – misjoinder of parties to a suit - whether a party to a suit who
had been found to have been wrongly joined in a suit could stay on in the suit and actively participate in the suit.
Civil Practice and Procedure – judgments – types of judgments – declaratory judgments – nature of
declaratory judgments - declaratory judgments vis a vis executory judgment - what was the distinction between a
declaratory judgment and an executory judgment .
Jurisdiction – jurisdiction of the High Court – jurisdiction to deal with matters of integrity and suitability to
hold public office - whether Chapter Six of the Constitution ousted the jurisdiction of the High Court on matters of
integrity and suitability to hold public office - Constitution of Kenya, 2010, Chapter 6.
Judicial Review – judicial review orders – mandamus and prohibition - what was the nature of the judicial
review orders of prohibition and mandamus.
Words and Phrases – obedience – definition of obedience - compliance with an order or law or submission to the
authority of another - Concise Oxford English Dictionary, Twelfth Edition, Oxford University Press, 2011.
Words and Phrases – obedience – definition of obedience – compliance with a law, command, or authority -
Black’s Law Dictionary, Tenth Edition, Thomson Reuters, 2014.
Brief facts
The instant proceedings arose from the decision made by the High Court in Petition 369 of 2019, Adrian
Kamotho Njenga v Attorney General & 3 others (Interested Parties) [2020] eKLR in which the court issued the
following declaratory orders:
1. A declaration that the President, the 1st respondent, was constitutionally bound by the
recommendation made by the Judicial Service Commission, the 1st interested party in accordance with
article 166(1) as read with article 172(1)(a) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 (Constitution) on the
persons to be appointed as judges;
2. a declaration that the 1st respondent’s failure to appoint the persons recommended for appointment
as judges violated the Constitution and the Judicial Service Act;
3. a declaration that the continued delay to appoint the persons recommended as judges of the respective
court was a violation of articles 2(1), 3(1), 10, 73(1)(a), 131(2)(a), 166(1), 172(1)(a) and 249(2) of the
Constitution; and
4. costs to the petitioner.
On June 3, 2021, the 1st respondent gazetted thirty-four of the nominees for appointment, leaving out six
of the nominees, one having died. The petitioner led the instant petition seeking among others an order
of prohibition stopping the 1st respondent, his agents or anyone whatsoever from appointing, gazetting or
swearing in a partial list of the 41 nominees, contrary to the recommendation of the 1st interested party; an
order of prohibition stopping the Chief Justice, the 3rd respondent, and the 1st interested party, their agents
or anyone whatsoever, from assigning duties to judges appointed from a partial list of 41 nominees contrary
to the recommendation of the 1st interested party; an order of mandamus compelling the 1st respondent to
appoint all 41 persons recommended for appointment as judges within 7 days of the order; and a declaration
that, if the 1st respondent defaulted, all 41 persons recommended for appointment as judges be deemed duly
appointed as judges to the respective superior court for which they were recommended.
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It was deposed by the 2nd interested party that in Adrian Kamotho Njenga v Attorney General & 3 others
(Interested Parties) the court issued orders that were eective which had to be obeyed and complied with, and
thus the 1st respondent had violated the Constitution as well as the rights of the citizens of Kenya, especially
the right to access to justice. The 2nd respondent deposed that the instant petition having been instituted in
furtherance to Adrian Kamotho Njenga v Attorney General & 3 others (Interested Parties), the 2nd respondent
had led an appeal at the Court of Appeal, being Civil Appeal No 286 of 2020. It was deposed further that
there were four pending cases in the courts on the same subject matter.
Issues
i. Whether the President was immune to litigation where there were allegations of violation of the
Constitution.
ii. Whether a party to a suit who had been found to have been wrongly joined in a suit could stay on in
the suit and actively participate in the suit.
iii. What was the nature of a declaration or declaratory judgment?
iv. What was the distinction between a declaratory judgment and an executory judgment?
v. What was the role of the President in the appointment of judges and commissioners of the Judicial
Service Commission?
vi. Whether persons nominated to be judges by the Judicial Service Commission could be deemed duly
appointed as judges where the President refused to appoint them as such.
vii. Whether it was mandatory for judges to be sworn in the presence of the President.
viii. Whether Chapter Six of the Constitution ousted the jurisdiction of the High Court on matters of
integrity and suitability to hold public oce.
ix. Whether taking a contrary view in public by the Attorney General on the appointment judges where
the Attorney General had taken part in the interviews which recommended the appointment of judges
violated the provisions of the Leadership and Integrity Act.
x. What was the nature of the judicial review orders of prohibition and mandamus?
Relevant provisions of the Law
Constitution of Kenya, 2010
Article 166 – Appointment of Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice and other judges
1. The President shall appoint
1. The Chief Justice and the Deputy Chief Justice, in accordance with the recommendation of the Judicial
Service Commission, and subject to the approval of the National Assembly; and
2. All other Judges, in accordance with the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission.
Held
1. A copy of the memorandum of appeal that was lodged in the appeal in Civil Appeal No. E221 of
2021 was not placed before the court. Therefore, the court could not tell immediately the nature of
grounds advanced in the appeal. The court could only presume that they were the same as those set out
in the draft memorandum of appeal attached to the adavit sworn on February 22, 2021, in support
of the stay application. The issues raised in that draft memorandum of appeal turned largely on the
question of the immunity of the 1st respondent from civil proceedings arising from actions done by
him in ocial capacity, and his joinder as a party to the proceedings. The only other issue raised was
that the court had failed to take cognisance of the pendency of the appeal in Civil Appeal No. 286 of
2020 (Attorney General v Adrian Kamotho Njenga & 3 others)
2. The instant petition did not turn on the immunity of the 1st respondent, that arose as a preliminary
issue, which the court disposed of, by holding that there was a misjoinder with respect to him. That
question was not before the court. His complaint appeared to be that the court should have gone
further and ordered his removal as a party to the proceedings. Declaring that there was misjoinder, so
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far as he was concerned was sucient. It was left open to him to either exit the proceedings, or stay on
as a nominal party, if he so wished.
3. The 1st respondent did not exit and had stayed on, and he appeared keen on participating in the
proceedings. The issue of his joinder was no longer before the court. Since the orders sought in the
petition were against the 1st respondent, his presence in the proceedings did not in any way prejudice
him.
4. Even if the issues of immunity and misjoinder were before the court, the 1st respondent was not
immune to litigation where there were allegations of violation of the Constitution by him. That would
then mean that the two issues, if raised on appeal, had little chances of success, in terms of the Court
of Appeal arriving at a contrary decision.
5. It was curious that the 1st respondent was making applications, where he was advancing a substantive
case instead of leaving it entirely to the 2nd respondent, who he was arguing was the correct and proper
party to advance his case. He was either a party who was wrongly joined to the proceedings, and who
should be out, or he was an active party who was aggressively ling applications, inviting the court
to stay the instant proceedings, so that an appeal that had been led by another party, arising from
proceedings in which he was not even a party, could be heard and determined. He could not approbate
and reprobate at the same time.
6. The instant matter was not res judicata Adrian Kamotho Njenga v Attorney General, Judicial Service
Commission & 2 Others (Interested Parties) [2020] eKLR. The issues raised in that appeal could not
aect the substantive orders sought in the instant petition. The orders made in Adrian Kamotho
Njenga v Attorney General & 3 others (Interested Parties) were declarations on appointment, while the
issues raised in the instant petition were in respect of partial appointment.
7. A declaration or declaratory judgment was an order of the court which merely declared what the rights
of the parties to the proceedings were and which had no coercive force – that was, it did not require
anyone to do anything. It was available both in private and public law save in judicial review jurisdiction
at that moment. The rule gave general power to the courts to give a declaratory judgment at the instance
of a party interested in the subject matter regardless of whether or not the interested party had a cause
of action in the subject matter.
8. There could be general declarations which required no action like where the declaration was that a
decision of a tribunal was unlawful because it had been made without jurisdiction, which meant that
no action was required. But there could be specic declarations, which required action to be taken by
a party to which it was directed, such as in declaratory suits in subrogation cases.
9. Disobedience was the failure or refusal to be obedient to an order or law, or to comply with such
order or law, or to submit to some authority. Disobedience was also the refusal to do what one was
commanded to do, or to disregard or ignore authority or command of an authority, or the refusal to
obey a rule or law, or to break such rule or law.
10. Obedience of a judgment or order could depend, largely, on its enforceability. An executory judgment
declared respective rights of parties and then proceeded to order the defendant to act in a particular
way, by either paying damages, or refraining from interfering with the rights of the plainti, such rights
were enforceable by execution, if disobeyed. Declaratory judgments merely proclaimed existence of a
legal relationship, and did not contain any order which could be enforced against the defendant.
11. Declaratory orders were popularly made with respect to proceedings against Government or its
agencies or ocials, on the presumption of the high improbability that a Government ocer would
not set himself in deance of a judgment or order of the court, in the belief that the defendant or
Government agency or ocial was a responsible authority, and it was thought inconceivable that the
declaratory order would not result in the plainti obtaining his rights. Put simply, it is assumed that the
Government or its agencies or ocials were responsible authorities, and it was hoped that they would
abide by or obey the declaratory judgment or order.
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12. Government agencies, entities and ocials often treated declaratory judgments or orders with
contempt and disdain, thereby forfeiting their right to be regarded as responsible authorities, and when
that happened a suit to enforce the declaratory order became necessary.
13. In the declaratory order, the court informed the Government or its agency or ocial what the law
said on the subject-matter, with regard to rights of some party, and pointed out the duties of the
Government or its agency or ocial with respect to the same. The order could not be specic, in terms
of being couched in a language that directed the Government or its agency or ocial to do or refrain
from doing a specic thing, but it was usually plain enough on what was expected of the Government
or its agency or ocial.
14. The failure or refusal or disregard by Government or its agencies or ocials, to harken to a declaratory
judgment or order, was a deance or disobedience of the declaratory judgment or order, as it would
amount to refusal to do or refrain from doing that which the court had declared to be right or wrong.
Therefore, a declaratory judgment or order could be disobeyed.
15. The petitioner was using contempt of court interchangeably with disobedience of the declaratory
orders. The 2nd respondent, on the other hand, used the term to mean the same thing. The issue of
contempt of court orders was not before the court. It was not one of the prayers sought in the petition.
16. The Constitution at article 23(3)(a) provided for the remedy of declaration as a relief in constitutional
petitions. Declaratory reliefs, as provided for in the Constitution, were not just about rights, but were
inclusive of declaration of duties and obligations. Most of the litigants who moved the court under
article 22 of the Constitution claimed that their rights had been violated, which allegation would mean
that they claimed a failure to perform duties by those against whom the petition was brought.
17. The orders that were the subject of the proceedings were declaratory in nature, save for the order on
costs. The orders were declarations of rights and duties, which were not general, but specic, issued
as a relief under article 23(3)(a) of the Constitution, which required the 1st respondent to take action,
within fourteen days, in line with 1st interested party’s recommendations. That created a constitutional
mandatory duty upon the 1st respondent, to act, as provided for under article 131, as read together
with article 166(1)(b) of the Constitution.
18. From article 23(3)(a) of the Constitution, declaratory orders made clear both rights and duties of
parties, and where duties were declared or made clear then there was an obligation to act upon the
order. A declaratory order was intended to make clear to the parties what their constitutional rights and
duties were, if they were unclear. Once the constitutional or statutory duties or obligations were made
clear, by the declaratory order, there would be an expectation that the bearer acts. Whereas declaration
of a right could require no action thereafter, the declaration of duty would require the bearer of the
duty to discharge the same, or to refrain or stop from so acting, if he was acting wrongly or in abuse
of the duty.
19. At the time of ling the petition, none of the nominees recommended for appointment had been
sworn in by the 1st respondent, contrary to the rst declaration in Adrian Kamotho Njenga v Attorney
General & 3 others (Interested Parties), which meant that he was under a duty under the Constitution
to make the appointments. There was, therefore, disobedience of that order. At the time the court
heard the petition, on July 26, 2021, the 1st respondent had just appointed and sworn in thirty-four of
the nominees, leaving six out. The fact that the six awaited formal appointment by the 1st respondent,
would mean that the 1st respondent had not fully complied with the Constitution, as required of him
by the declaratory judgment. The delay continued, and, therefore, the disobedience was subsisting.
20. The declarations, in Adrian Kamotho Njenga v Attorney General & 3 others (Interested Parties) were
not new. Similar declarations had been made by High Court, in Law Society of Kenya v Attorney
General & 2 others [2016] eKLR to the eect that upon submission, by the 1st interested party to the
1st respondent, of names of persons to be appointed judges, the 1st respondent was under a mandatory
constitutional duty to appoint, swear-in and gazette the said persons as judges without unreasonable
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delay, and that a refusal to do so was unconstitutional. That court held that the appointment ought
to be made within fourteen days. That determination was not appealed against. It declared the law
on the duty on the part of the 1st respondent, with respect to judicial appointments, which the court,
in Adrian Kamotho Njenga v Attorney General & 3 others (Interested Parties) similarly declared.
21. The existence of the decision in Law Society of Kenya v Attorney General & 2 others [2016] eKLR since
2016, would mean that the 1st respondent was aware of his obligation under the Constitution, with
respect to appointment of judges, when the second decision, in Adrian Kamotho Njenga v Attorney
General & 3 others (Interested Parties) was being made. The 1st respondent disobeyed or failed to abide
by the declaratory orders in Adrian Kamotho Njenga v Attorney General & 3 others (Interested Parties)
and the remedy available, in the face of such disobedience, was the enforcement cause.
22. The powers and functions of the 1st respondent and the 1st interested party, with regard to appointment
of judges, was provided for under article 166(1) of the Constitution. In appointing the Chief Justice
and Deputy Chief Justice, the function of 1st respondent was to receive the recommendations of the
1st interested party, and the approval of the National Assembly, and appoint the nominees as such. As
for other judges, the 1st respondent was only to receive the recommendation of the 1st interested party,
and appoint the nominees as such. The 1st respondent had no powers to look anywhere outside that
to check on the suitability of the nominee to be so appointed.
23. The constitutional involvement of the 1st respondent with regard to appointment of commissioners to
the 1st interested party, only related to the one woman and one man, who represented the public. Under
the Constitution, the 1st respondent did not have any constitutional function in the appointment of
commissioners to the 1st interested party, except for the two commissioners representing the public,
therefore, the instant case was distinguishable from Law Society of Kenya v Attorney General; Mohamed
Abdulahi Warsame & Another (Interested Parties) [2019] eKLR.
24. The six nominees could be quite properly deemed to be duly appointed as judges, as the 1st respondent
had no choice but to appoint them. The 1st respondent having taken part in the nomination process
through his appointees, once the 1st interested party nominates the persons to be appointed as judges,
the 1st respondent’s role was then limited to appointment, swearing in and gazettement of the said
persons as judges. He could not therefore purport to process, vet, approve, or disapprove the nominees.
At that stage the issue of consultation with the Chief Justice, also a member of the 1st interested party
did not arise.
25. Once the nomination process was nalised, subject to paragraph 16 of the First Schedule to the Act,
the 1st interested party and the 1st respondent had no other role to play in the matter apart from putting
in place formalities of appointing the nominees as judges. The only way in which the names presented
to the 1st respondent could be reconsidered, and if so by the 1st interested party itself was pursuant
to paragraph 16 of the First Schedule to the Judicial Service Act, 2011, which provided that the 1st
interested party would not reconsider its nominees after the names were submitted to the 1st respondent
except in the case of death, incapacity, or withdrawal of a nominee.
26. The Kenyan Constitution was progressive and was on the same footing with those of Nigeria, South
Africa, United Kingdom and the United States of America, where the process of nominating judges
was done competitively, by an independent body, and the role of Head of State was a mere formality. By
coming up with that system of the appointment of judges, the people of the Republic of Kenya wanted
a clear break from the old system in which the appointment of judges of the superior courts was in
substance a prerogative of the 1st respondent with the 1st interested party playing merely a formal role.
27. The Constitution as drafted did not appear, on the face of it, to contemplate a scenario that a
responsible authority would not act, at the time when it was required to, for if that had been envisaged,
then a provision would have been inserted in the Constitution to remedy that. In absence of such a
provision, then recourse could only be to court by way of a constitutional petition or judicial review,
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like had been done in the instant case. All that would have, perhaps, been avoided, had there been a
clear follow up provision in the Constitution or legislation.
28. In Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery Board v Commission on Administrative Justice & 2 others [2021]
eKLR, the Supreme Court was considering whether recommendations made by the Commission on
Administration of Justice were binding on public bodies, and went on to state that the court could
not dictate the manner in which the public bodies could implement the recommendation, except
where there was gross abuse of discretion, manifest injustice or palpable excess authority equivalent to
denial of a settled right, among others. That decision was limited to recommendations arising from
complaints raised with the Commission on Administration of Justice, with regard to handling of
matters in the wider justice sector, and how public authorities were to handle recommendations made
by that commission, or similar commissions, arising from such complaints. The recommendations
referred to in that case were not of the nature contemplated in article 161(1)(b) of the Constitution
and therefore that decision was distinguishable.
29. Since the 1st respondent had failed to exercise his constitutional duty to appoint the six remaining
judges since July 2019, which delay was unreasonable, and despite the court, in Adrian Kamotho
Njenga v Attorney General & 3 Others (Interested Parties) reminding him of that duty, the power
by the 1st respondent to appoint the nominees had expired fourteen days after receiving the names
from the 1st interested party, and was moot, and the court could quite properly, in the interests of
justice, advancement of the rule of law and access to justice, and to forestall further violation of the
Constitution and sustenance of an unconstitutional state of aairs, proceed to deem the six nominees
as duly appointed as judges to the respective superior courts, subject to gazettement and swearing in.
That would be the best way to get out of or unlock the constitutional crisis created by the failure of
the 1st respondent to appoint the judges in accordance with the law.
30. The Constitution was silent on the process of the swearing in of members of Parliament, save that the
Third Schedule to the Constitution had the form of the oath prescribed for them. There was also no
legislation, by way of an Act of Parliament, to regulate the process. What was in place, for the purpose
of swearing members of the National Assembly, was the Parliamentary Standing Orders, currently in
the 5th edition, adopted by the 12th National Assembly on May 6, 2020.
31. Although the Constitution provided for oaths by State ocers and prescribed the forms of the oaths,
apart from oaths for the 1st respondent, Deputy President and cabinet secretaries, the Constitution
did not provide for the person or State ocer before whom the oath was to be taken and the place of
taking the oath.
32. From a perusal of various legislation governing the Judiciary and judges in general, the court had not
come across any provision relating to the time, date and place of swearing in of judges or other judicial
ocers, nor of the persons who ought to administer the oath and before whom the oaths should
be taken. The lack of clarity, in the statutes governing the swearing of judges and judicial ocers,
contrasted sharply with the very elaborate processes set out in the Advocates Act, Cap 16, Laws of
Kenya, on admission of advocates to the Bar. The state of aairs, with respect to the law that ought to
regulate swearing of judges, was intriguing and embarrassing, when looked at against the practice under
the Advocates Act, for admission of advocates, which the courts, and specically the 3rd respondent,
oversaw.
33. The 1st respondent was vested with power to appoint all the persons recommended for appointment
by the 1st interested party. Whereas article 74 of the Constitution required the taking of oaths by
nominee judges, as State ocers, before assuming oce. The Constitution did not provide for swearing
in of the appointees by or before the 1st respondent, neither was there any enabling statute which
provided for such an exercise. There was nothing in the Constitution nor legislation which required
that judges, be sworn in before the 1st respondent. The current practice of judges being sworn in before
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the 1st respondent was not founded on any constitutional or statutory law, it was perhaps founded on
tradition, based on his role as Head of State.
34. Under section 61(1) of the repealed constitution, the President had absolute power to appoint the
Chief Justice; while he appointed puisne judges and judges of Court of Appeal, under section 61(2),
acting in accordance with the advice of the Judicial Service Commission established under that
Constitution. Under section 63 of the repealed Constitution, a judge could not enter upon the duties
of his oce until he had taken and subscribed to his oath of allegiance and an oath for due execution
of his oce, the form of which was to be prescribed by Parliament.
35. The tradition and practice in Kenya was that judges were sworn in by the Chief Registrar of
the Judiciary in the presence of the 1st respondent. The swearing in ceremony was preceded by
appointment, under article 166 of the Constitution, by the 1st respondent in accordance with the
recommendation of the 1st interested party taking the form of a notice in the Kenya Gazette. The act of
gazettement by the 1st respondent appeared to be how the actual appointment took place yet there was
no legal basis of gazettement under Kenyan law. There was also no legal basis for the swearing of judges
before the 1st respondent, for the same was not anchored on any law, the Constitution or legislation.
36. There was no constitutional or legislative provision which barred the 3rd respondent from swearing
the judges, for there was no provision anywhere which gave the 1st respondent a constitutional or
legal role or mandate or duty in the swearing of judges, which then left it open for their swearing in
before the Head of the Judiciary. The Constitution and various legislation passed to give eect to the
Constitution had already conferred the duty of swearing various State ocers, including members of
constitutional commissions, who were appointed by the 1st respondent, on the 3rd respondent. In the
event the court found it appropriate to have the judges deemed as appointed, and to have them sworn
in by the 3rd respondent, the 3rd respondent would, in that eventuality, be within the powers of that
oce to assign to them duties upon their being sworn in.
37. There was no window or residual power left for the 1st interested party, once it had recommended
persons for appointment to the 1st respondent, it could not swear in the persons nominated as judges,
for it had no role in that exercise, neither was it its function to assign duties to judges.
38. Chapter Six of the Constitution did not limit or oust the jurisdiction of the High Court on matters
of integrity and suitability to hold public oce, and that the role of Ethics and Anti-Corruption
Commission was complementary to that of the court. Therefore, the court had jurisdiction to inquire
and determine whether the 2nd respondent, by his actions violated the provisions of Chapter Six.
There were criminal, civil and ethical integrity issues, and whereas the Ethics and Anti-Corruption
Commission had the sole mandate to inquire into the three issues, the court, where evidence was
produced, of violation of ethical integrity could, in the absence of any inquiry by Ethics and Anti-
Corruption Commission and or other relevant bodies, proceed to make a declaration.
39. In exercising his powers as a State Ocer, the 2nd respondent was expected to abide by the principles
set out in article 73 of the Constitution. In addition, under article 156(6) of the Constitution, the 2nd
respondent was required to promote, protect and uphold the rule of law and defend public interest.
The powers of the 2nd respondent could be exercised in person or by subordinate ocers acting in
accordance with general or special instructions, according to article 156(7) and section 14(1) of the
Oce of the Attorney General Act.
40. The 2nd respondent, according to section 6(1) of the Oce of the Attorney General Act, was the titular
head of the Bar, and took precedence in all matters in courts whenever he appeared. That placed him
in a pole position in leadership within the legal profession, making him a gure that members of the
legal profession and the general public looked up to, with respect to matters pertaining to the legal
profession, the judicial process and generally.
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41. The court was only called to examine the conduct of the 2nd respondent based on the material presented
before it, which was his press statement in answer to the 3rd respondent, the chair of the 1st interested
party, wherein he was a member. The issue in dispute was not the representation of the National
Executive in court by the 2nd respondent. However, the petitioner did not provide any evidence on
how the 2nd respondent voted in respect of the proposed names and his advice to the 1st respondent
on the same, if any.
42. It was the duty of the petitioner to prove to court how the 2nd respondent voted at the meetings of the
1st interested party with respect to the appointments in question, and the nature of the advice which
he gave to the 1st respondent thereafter, and whether or not the 1st respondent took into account the
advice. It was for the petitioner to prove, on a balance of probability, that the 1st respondent declined
to exercise his constitutional mandate on the appointment on the advice of the 2nd respondent, which
it failed to do.
43. The only evidence on record, which was conrmed, through the press statement by the 2nd respondent,
was that the 1st respondent acted on the advice of competent State organs, indicated to have had some
undisclosed adverse reports on the six nominees, which reports were not tabled before the 1st interested
party as at the time when the nominees were interviewed and recommended for appointment,
according to the 3rd respondent.
44. The 2nd respondent took part in the interviews that led to the recommendation of the nominees
for appointment, and he was a member of the 1st interested party. Therefore, he was bound by the
corporate decision of the 1st interested party, as represented by the 3rd respondent. Having taken part in
the interviews, the 2nd respondent was, therefore, conicted, and could not express any view thereafter,
contrary to that of the 1st interested party, as presented by the 3rd respondent. If the Executive had any
contrary view, then that position should have been expressed and articulated by any other responsible
State ocer, that was other than the 2nd respondent.
45. In taking a contrary view in public, the 2nd respondent acted in conict of interest, and in the process
violated the provisions of the Leadership and Integrity Act. In taking on the 3rd respondent in public,
and answering him in the manner stated in the press statement, the 2nd respondent brought the oces
of the 2nd and 3rd respondents and the 1st interested party into disrepute, and, to that extent, his
conduct fell short of the national values in Chapter 10 of the integrity and leadership provisions of the
Constitution, as set out in article 73.
46. Article 156 of the Constitution provided for the appointment, functions and removal of the 2nd
respondent from oce. Those provisions were further contained in the Oce of the Attorney General
Act, which should be read together with the provisions of article 79 of the Constitution, section 11 of
the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission Act and section 4 of the Leadership and Integrity Act,
all of which provided for lodging of complaints against State ocers and the petitioner should have
followed the procedures as regarded the conduct of the 2nd respondent in the instant matter.
47. As regards public interest litigation, the general principle, was that there were special circumstances
that could have arisen to justify a departure from the traditional “loser pays” cost rule, taking into
account the principles of access to justice and the spirit of article 3(c) of the Constitution, which
provided that every person had an obligation to respect uphold and defend the Constitution. Further,
article 258(1)(2) of the Constitution recognized that a person could initiate legal proceedings in the
interest of the public.
48. The intent of articles 22 and 23 of the Constitution was that persons should have free and unhindered
access to the court for the enforcement of their fundamental rights and freedoms. Similarly, article 258
of the Constitution allowed any person to institute proceedings claiming the Constitution had been
violated or was threatened. The imposition of costs would constitute a deterrent and would have a
chilling eect on the enforcement of the Bill of Rights.
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49. In matters concerning public interest litigation, a litigant who had brought proceedings to advance a
legitimate public interest and contributed to a proper understanding of the law in question without
private gain should not have been deterred from adopting a course that was benecial to the public
for fear of costs being imposed. Costs should therefore not have been imposed on a party who had
brought a case against the State but lost. Equally, there was no reason why the State should not have
been ordered to pay costs to a successful litigant. The court also retained its jurisdiction to impose costs
as a sanction where the matter was frivolous, vexatious or an abuse of the court process.
50. The petitioner had no private interest in the outcome of the petition, save that it was for the benet of
the public, and to advance the right to access to justice, which was the purpose for which 1st interested
party recommended the nominees for appointment to the respective courts. The practice of the courts
had been not to award costs in constitutional petitions. However, before costs were waived a basis
had to be laid for the same. The history of the petition revealed non-action by the respondents in
spite of several complaints received from the petitioners and failing to act on their own (respondents)
recommendations to remedy the environment.
51. According to Halsbury’s Laws of England, 4th Edition Vol. 1 at Pg. 37, paragraph 128, prohibition
was dened as an order from the High Court, directed to an inferior tribunal or body, which forbade
that tribunal or body from continuing proceedings in excess of its jurisdiction or in contravention of
the laws of the land. It lay, not only for excess of jurisdiction or absence of it, but also for departure
from the rules of natural justice, and it did not lie to correct the course, practice or procedure of an
inferior tribunal or a wrong decision on the merits of the proceedings. The court took judicial notice
of the fact that the events that the petitioner sought to stop, through the two prayers, were past, and
eectively the prayers had been overtaken by events. Prohibition was futuristic, the orders did not lie
in the circumstances of the instant case, for the court did not issue orders in vain.
52. Mandamus was an equitable remedy that served to compel a public authority to perform its public
legal duty, and it controlled procedural delays. It could only issue where it was clear that there was
willful, implied or unreasonable delay.
Petition partially allowed.
Orders
i. Motion dated February 22, 2021 and the plea by the 1st respondent to stay the proceedings was declined.
ii. An order of mandamus was hereby issued directing the 1st respondent to appoint the remaining six
nominees as judges to their respective courts, within the next fourteen days.
iii. Upon the lapse of the fourteen days, in (ii), above, without the 1st respondent having made the
appointments, it was to be presumed that his power to make them had expired and his office become
functus, so far as the appointments were concerned, and the six nominees would be deemed duly appointed,
effective from the date of default, as judges of the superior courts for which they were recommended.
iv. Subsequent to their being deemed appointed, under (iii), above, the 3rd respondent, in conjunction with the
1st interested party, was at liberty to take all necessary steps to swear the six judges.
v. costs of the petition to be paid to the petitioner by the 1st and 2nd respondents.
Citations
Cases
1. Adrian Kamotho Njenga v Attorney General; Judicial Service Commission & 2 others (Interested
Parties) ([2020] eKLR) — Explained
2. Benson Riitho Mureithi v J. W. Wakhungu & 2 others ([2014]eKLR) — Explained
3. Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) v Attorney General; International Institute for
Legislative Aairs & another (Interested Parties) ([2019] eKLR) — Explained
4. Council of Governors & 47 others v Attorney General & 3 others (Interested Parties); Katiba Institute
& 2 others (Amicus Curiae) ([2020] eKLR) — Explained
kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/226691/ 10
5. David Ndii & others vs. Attorney General & others ([2021] eKLR) — Explained
6. Elias Mwangi Mugwe v Public Procurement Administrative Review Board, Kenya Revenue Authority,
Trademark East Africa, Attorney General, Webb Fontaine Group FZ – LLZ & Bull Sas Ltd ([2016]
eKLR) — Explained
7. E W A & 2 others v Director of Immigration and Registration of Persons & another ([2018] eKLR)
— Explained
8. Fred Matiang’i the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Interior and Co-ordination of National Government
v Miguna Miguna & 4 others ([2018] eKLR) — Followed
9. Githu Muigai & another v Law Society of Kenya & another ([2015] eKLR) — Explained
10. Global Tours &Travels Limited (Nairobi HC Winding Up Cause No. 43 of 2000 (Unreported)) —
Cited
11. Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission & 4 others v David Ndii & 82 others; Kenya
Human Rights Commission & 4 others (Amicus Curiae) ([2021] eKLR) — Explained
12. Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) v National Super Alliance (NASA) Kenya
& 6 Others ([2017] eKLR) — Explained
13. International Centre for Policy and Conict & 5 others v Attorney General & 5 others ([2013] eKLR)
— Explained
14. James Gacheru Kariuki & 69 others v William Kabogo Gitau & 104 others ([2019] eKLR) — Followed
15. Johana Nyokwoyo Buti v Walter Rasugu Omariba (Suing through his attorney Beutah Onsomu
Rasugu) & 2 others [ (2011] eKLR) — Explained
16. John Harun Mwau & 3 others v Attorney General & 2 others ([2012] eKLR) — Explained
17. Kalpana H Rawal & 2 others v Judicial Service Commission & 2 others ([2016] eKLR) — Cited
18. Kenya Human Rights Commission & another vs Attorney General & 6 others ([2019] eKLR) —
Explained
19. Kenya Power & Lighting Company Limited vs. Esther Wanjiru Wokabi ([2019] eKLR) — Cited
20. Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery Board v Commission on Administrative Justice & 2 others ([2021] eKLR)
— Followed
21. KM & 9 others vs. Attorney General & 7 others ([2020] eKLR) — Explained
22. Law Society of Kenya v Attorney General & another ([2019] eKLR) — Cited
23. Law Society of Kenya v Attorney General & another; Mohamed Abdulahi Warsame & another
(Interested Parties) ([2019] eKLR) — Cited
24. Law Society of Kenya vs. Attorney General & 2 others ([2016] eKLR) — Cited
25. Mohamed Abdi Olge v Abdullahi Diriye & 3 others ([2017] eKLR) — Explained
26. Republic v Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission & 2 others Ex-Parte Alinoor Derow
Abdullahi & others ([2017] eKLR) — Explained
27. Trusted Society of Human Rights Alliance v Mumo Matemu & 5 others ([2014] eKLR) — Explained
28. Trusted Society of Human Rights v.Attorney-General and others ([2012] eKLR) — Explained
29. William Kabogo Gitau v Ferdinand Ndung’u Waititu ([2016] eKLR) — Explained
30. Attorney General vs. Latu ([2021] WSCA 6) — Cited
31. Chief RA Okoya and Ors vs. S Santilli and ors ((SC 200/1989) [1990] 82 (23rd March 1990)) —
Explained
32. Secretary of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, Corruption and
Fraud in the Public Sector including Organs of State vs. Zuma & others (CCT 52/210 [2021] ZACC
18 (29th June 2021)) — Followed
33. Webster vs. Southwark London Borough Council ([1983] QBD 698) — Explained
Statutes
1. Advocates Act (Cap. 16) — section 20 — Interpreted
2. Appellate Jurisdiction Act (Cap. 9) — Interpreted
kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/226691/ 11
3. Assumption of the Oce of Governor Act (No. 4 of 2014) — section 11 — Interpreted
4. Assumption Of The Oce Of President Act (Act No. 21 of 2012) — section 12; Part IV — Interpreted
5. Civil Procedure Act (Cap. 21) — section 27 — Interpreted
6. Civil Procedure Rules, 2010 (Cap. 21 Sub-Leg) — Order 18; Rule 3(1) — Interpreted
7. Constitution of Kenya, 2010 — article 166(1), 172(1)(a), 2(1), 3(1), 10, 73(1)(a), 131(2)(a), 249(2),
163, 164, 23(3)(a), 2(1), 3(1), 10, 73(1), 74, 152(40(a), 75(2), 79, 258(1)(2) — Interpreted
8. Court Of Appeal (Organization And Administration) Act (No. 28 of 2015) — Interpreted
9. Employment and Labour Relations Court Act (No.20 of 2011) — Interpreted
10. Environment and Land Court Act, 2011 (Act No 19 of 2011) — Interpreted
11. Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission Act (No. 22 of 2011) — section 8, 11 — Interpreted
12. High Court Administration and Organisation Act (No. 27 of 2015) — Interpreted
13. Judicature Act (Cap 8) — Interpreted
14. Judicial Service Act (No. 1 of 2011) — section 40(1) — Interpreted
15. Kadhis’ Courts Act (Cap. 11) — Interpreted
16. Leadership and Integrity Act,2012 (Act No 10 of 2012) — section 3(2), 42 — Interpreted
17. Magistrates’ Courts Act (Cap. 10) — Interpreted
18. National Land Commission Act (No. 5 of 2012) — section 9 — Interpreted
19. Oce of the Attorney-General Act (No. 49 of 2012) — section 8(2), 14(1), 6(1) — Interpreted
20. Public Service Commission Act (No. 10 of 2017) — section 9 — Interpreted
21. Supreme Court Act (No. 7 of 2011) — Interpreted
22. Teachers Service Commission Act (No. 20 of 2012) — section 9 — Interpreted
Texts
1. 2011, Concise Oxford English Dictionary, Twelfth Edition (Oxford University Press)
2. Etienne Mureinik, 1994, A Bridge to Where? Introducing the Interim Bill of Rights (10 SAJHR 31)
3. John Locke, Second Treatise of Government
4. Ron Fuller, 1964, Internal Morality of the Law
5. Thomson Reuters, 2014, Black’s Law Dictionary, Tenth Edition
6. Halsbury’s Laws of England, 4th Edition Vol. 1 (Page 37 Paragraph 128)
Advocates
Mr. Ochiel for the Petitioner
Mr Waweru Gatonye for the 1st Respondent
Mr. Bitta for the 2nd Respondent
JUDGMENT
1. These proceedings arose from the decision made by the High Court in Petition 369 of 2019, Adrian
Kamotho Njenga vs. Attorney General, Judicial Service Commission & 2 Others (Interested Parties)
[2020] eKLR (Achode PJ, JA Makau & Mwita JJ), in which the court issued the following declaratory
orders:
(a) a declaration be and is hereby issued that the President is constitutionally bound by the
recommendation made by the 1st Interested Party in accordance with article 166(1) as read
with article 172(1)(a) of the Constitution on the persons to be appointed as Judges;
b. a declaration be and is hereby issued that the President’s failure to appoint the persons
recommended for appointment as Judges violates the Constitution and the Judicial Service Act;
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c. a declaration be and is hereby issued that the continued delay to appoint the persons
recommended as judges of the respective court is a violation of articles 2(1), 3(1), 10, 73(1)(a),
131(2)(a), 166(1), 172(1)(a) and 249(2) of the Constitution; and
d. Costs to the Petitioner.”
2. Katiba Institute, the petitioner, then commenced these proceedings through a petition dated June 19,
2020, and led herein on June 22, 2020, seeking the following orders:
a. An order of prohibition stopping the President of the Republic of Kenya, the 1st respondent,
his agents or anyone whatsoever from appointing, gazetting or swearing in a partial list of the
41 nominees, contrary to the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission, the 1st
interested party, on 23rd July and 13th August 2019;
b. An order of prohibition stopping the Chief Justice, the 3rd respondent, and the 1st interested
party, their agents or anyone whatsoever, from assigning duties to judges appointed from a
partial list of 41 nominees contrary to the recommendation of the 1st interested party on 23rd
July and August 13, 2019;
c. An order of mandamus compelling the 1st respondent to appoint all 41 persons recommended
for appointment as judges by the 1st interested party on 23rd July and August 13, 2019 within
7 days of the order;
d. A declaration issuing that, if the 1st respondent defaults on order (c) above, all 41 persons
recommended for appointment as Judges by the 1st interested party on 23rd July and August
13, 2019, be deemed duly appointed as Judges to the respective Superior Court for which they
were recommended;
e. If order (d) above comes into force, the court does issue an order of mandamus compelling
the 3rd respondent and the 1st interested party to swear into oce immediately the 41 persons
nominated as Judges by the 1st interested party on 23rd July and August 13, 2019;
f. A declaration does issue that the insistence by the 1st respondent that he has powers to appoint
only some of the nominees recommended by the 1st interested party as Judges is unlawful,
unconstitutional and an aront to the independence of the 1st interested party and Judicial
independence;
g. A declaration does issue that Paul Kihara Kariuki, the Attorney General, 2nd respondent,
having grossly violated article 10, 73, 75 and 156(6) of the Constitution, is incompetent and
unt to hold oce as Attorney General of the Republic of Kenya; and
h. Costs of this action against the 1st and 2nd respondents personally.
3. The petition was supported by an adavit sworn by Christine Nkonge, the Executive Director of
the petitioner, annexing a copy of a press release by the Attorney General, the judgment of this
court delivered on 6th February 2020 in Adrian Kamotho Njenga vs Attorney General, Judicial Service
Commission & 2 Others (Interested Parties) [2020] eKLR (Achode PJ, JA Makau & Mwita JJ), and
an extract of a newspaper report by Annette Wambulwa, a court reporter. The petition was led
simultaneously with an application for interlocutory orders, which in due course was abandoned.
4. In response, Kenya Human Rights Commission, the 2nd interested party, led a replying adavit,
sworn by George Kegoro, its Executive Director, on July 23, 2020, in which it was deposed that,
by a statement dated February 20, 2020, the 2nd interested party had raised concern over delay in
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appointment of the nominated Judges by the 1st respondent, who had allegedly raised objections
over the integrity of a number of the nominees. It was also deposed that the 1st interested party had
institutionalised a process of vetting candidates for appointment as Judges, involving investigative arms
of government, who then became, for that purpose, agents of the 1st interested party, and that there was
no place for a vetting process outside that which the 1st interested party had requested or authorised,
and thus the 1st respondent could not purport to institute its own vetting process independent of the
1st interested party.
5. It was deposed further that in Adrian Kamotho Njenga vs Attorney General, Judicial Service
Commission & 2 Others (Interested Parties) [2020] eKLR (Achode PJ, JA Makau & Mwita JJ) the
court issued orders which were still eective which had to be obeyed and complied with, and thus the
1st respondent had violated, with impunity, the Constitution as well as the rights of the citizens of
Kenya, especially the right to access to justice. It was lastly deposed that the current Constitution had
sought to remedy the problem of lack of independence of the Judiciary by enacting Article 161, and
that in addition the 1st, 2nd and 3rd respondents were obligated under the international principles of
independence of judges, lawyers and prosecutors, to guarantee the independence of the Judiciary as
enshrined in the Constitution, and that this court has jurisdiction to hear and adjudicate this petition,
as it is this court’s cardinal duty to protect and enforce the Constitution.
6. The 2nd respondent, on his part, led a response, through an replying adavit, sworn by Allan Kamau,
a State Counsel, on January 18, 2021, in which it was deposed that this petition having been instituted
in furtherance to Adrian Kamotho Njenga vs Attorney General, Judicial Service Commission & 2 Others
(Interested Parties) [2020] eKLR (Achode PJ, JA Makau & Mwita JJ), the 2nd respondent being
aggrieved by that decision had led an appeal at the Court of Appeal, being Civil Appeal No 286
of 2020. It was deposed further that Christine Nkonge, who swore the supporting adavit to the
petition, was neither an employee nor Secretary of the 1st interested party, and, therefore, she could
not depose to matters relating to proceedings of the 1st interested party, without disclosing the source
of her information. It was further deposed that the 2nd respondent had raised a preliminary objection
on the jurisdiction of the court, to declare the 2nd respondent incompetent and unt to hold oce,
but the court did not deal with the issue in its ruling. It was lastly, deposed that currently there are
four pending cases in the courts on the same subject matter, that is Nairobi Civil Appeal No 286
of 2020 Attorney General vs. Adrian Kamotho & Others, Nairobi Constitutional Petition No 369
of 2019 Adrian Kamotho Njenga vs Attorney General & Others, Nairobi Constitutional Petition No
246 of 2020 Adrian Kamotho Njenga vs. Attorney General & Others, and the present case Nairobi
Constitutional Petition No 206 of 2020 Katiba Institute vs. Attorney General & Others.
7. The 1st and 2nd respondents took out preliminary objections founded on notices dated July 13, 2020
and July 16, 2020, on jurisdiction, which we dealt with in the ruling delivered on December 17, 2020,
dismissing both objections.
8. On June 3, 2021, the 1st respondent gazetted thirty-four of the nominees for appointment, leaving
out six of the nominees, one having died. On the same date, the petitioner led an application, under
certicate of urgency, in which it sought order of prohibition, stopping the 1st and 3rd respondents,
or their agents, from swearing in the partial list of forty nominees, contrary to the recommendation of
the 1st interested party of 2019 and the orders of the court of February 2020. It was also further sought
that the 3rd respondent and the 1st interested party, or their agents, be stopped from assigning duties
to Judges sworn in from the partial list of forty, contrary to the recommendations of the 1st interested
party and the orders of this court. The said application was abandoned on June 9, 2021, to expedite
the hearing of the main petition.
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9. Two other applications were led by Kituo Cha Sheria, one dated June 8, 2021, to be joined as
interested party, which we dismissed on merit; and another dated July 13, 2021, for admission as amicus
curiae, which we dismissed because it came in too late in the day. The Kenya National Commission on
Human Rights led an application, dated July 6, 2021, seeking to be joined as interested party. The
application was not pursued, and we deemed it as abandoned.
10. On February 22, 2021, the 1st respondent led a notice of motion, of even date, seeking the following
orders:
a. This honourable court do certify this application as urgent on the grounds set out in the
certicate of urgency led herewith and that service be dispensed with in the rst instance;
b. The honourable court be pleased to stay the proceedings in this petition pending the hearing
and determination of this application inter-partes;
c. This honourable court be pleased to stay the proceedings in this petition pending the hearing
and determination of the 1st respondent’s application/applicants intended appeal in the Court
of Appeal;
d. In the alternative, this honourable court be pleased to stay proceedings in this petition pending
the hearing and determination of Civil Appeal No 286 of 2020 (Attorney General vs Adrian
Njenga & 3 Others); and
e. The costs of the application be provided for.
11. The 3rd respondent and the 1st interested party led their grounds of opposition, to the petition on
June 21, 2021, dated June 14, 2021.
12. This court directed, on May 24, 2021, that the application, dated February 22, 2021, be determined
within the petition, and that the two be disposed of by way of written submissions, to be highlighted.
The parties complied with ling of written submissions, and the application and the petition were
argued on July 26, 2021, at the time all the nominees, save for seven, had been appointed. This
judgment, therefore, is in respect to the said application and the petition herein, in respect of the
appointment of the remaining surviving six nominees by the 1st respondent.
Analysis and Determination
13. After considering the matters raised in the petition, the application dated February 22, 2021 and the
submissions of the parties, we have identied the following issues for determination:
a. Whether this court should stay these proceedings, to await decision of the Court of Appeal, as
requested by the 1st respondent in the application, dated February 22, 2021;
b. Whether the 1st respondent disobeyed this court’s orders, seeing that the said orders were
merely declaratory;
c. Whether the court should make orders deeming the six remaining nominees as duly appointed
judges of the respective courts without them being formally appointed and sworn by the 1st
respondent;
d. Whether the court can order the 3rd respondent and 1st interested party to swear in and assign
to the six nominees, after being deemed as appointed as Judges, duties without them being
sworn in by the 1st respondent;
e. Whether this court can sanction the 2nd respondent for his advice or conduct as requested; and
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f. Whether this court should order personal payment of costs by the 1st and 2nd respondents.
14. We shall consider each of the issues in turn, and we shall recite and analyse the submissions made by
the parties within the issues.
Whether this court should stay these proceedings, to await decision of the Court of Appeal, as
requested by the 1st respondent in the application, dated 22nd February 2021
15. The application seeks two principal prayers: stay of the proceedings in this petition pending the
hearing and determination of the 1st respondent’s intended appeal at the Court of Appeal, and in the
alternative, stay of proceedings in this petition, pending the hearing and determination of Civil Appeal
No. 286 of 2020, the Honourable the Attorney General vs. Adrian Kamotho Njenga & 3 others, arising
from Adrian Kamotho Njenga vs Attorney General, Judicial Service Commission & 2 Others (Interested
Parties) [2020] eKLR (Achode PJ, JA Makau & Mwita JJ).
16. The grounds on the face of the application, in summary, are that the 1st respondent was aggrieved by
the decision of the court, in the ruling of December 17, 2020, declining to strike out his name from the
proceedings, despite our nding that there was a misjoinder with respect to him, and proceedings to
direct him to le written submissions. He avers that he had led notices of appeal, and had an arguable
appeal on points of law and jurisdiction. It is further averred that the Civil Appeal No. 286 of 2020,
The Honourable the Attorney General vs. Adrian Kamotho Njenga & 3 others, raised arguable grounds
and had good prospects of success. It is argued that the Court of Appeal, being superior to the High
Court was seized of the appeal, on issues similar to those that are before us, a decision in favour of the
respondents at the Court of Appeal would render the proceedings herein nugatory, something likely
to subject this court to unnecessary embarrassment and mortication. It was stated that the Deputy
Registrar of the Court of Appeal had since given directions on the ling of written submissions, and
the matter was likely to be listed for hearing before a bench of three Judges of that court at any time.
It was urged that good order and acknowledgment of the hierarchy of courts required the High Court
to stay its proceedings to await the outcome of the proceedings at the Court of Appeal.
17. Although the Motion expressed itself to have been supported by the adavit of Charles W. Gatonye,
SC, the adavit, that was lodged simultaneously with the Motion, was that of Allan Kamau, a State
Counsel in the oce of the 2nd respondent, sworn on 22nd February 2021. The said adavit does
no more that regurgitate the grounds listed on the face of Motion. Indeed, the averments in that
adavit are but a replica of the said grounds, and we need not recite them in this ruling. The only thing
of signicance in that adavit are the annexures to it. There is a Notice of intended Appeal, dated
December 22, 2020, by the 1st respondent, to the ruling of December 17, 2020; a second Notice of
Appeal, dated February 6, 2020, by the 2nd respondent, in respect of the judgment in Adrian Kamotho
Njenga vs Attorney General, Judicial Service Commission & 2 Others (Interested Parties) [2020] eKLR
(Achode PJ, JA Makau & Mwita JJ); a draft Memorandum of Appeal by the 1st respondent to the
ruling of this court of December 17, 2020; a Memorandum of Appeal, dated August 18, 2020, that
the 2nd respondent lodged at the Court of Appeal in Civil Appeal No. 286 of 2020 (The Honourable
the Attorney General vs. Adrian Kamotho Njenga & 3 others), from the decision of the High Court
in Adrian Kamotho Njenga vs Attorney General, Judicial Service Commission & 2 Others (Interested
Parties) [2020] eKLR (Achode PJ, JA Makau & Mwita JJ). Then there is the email correspondence
from the oce of the Registrar of the Court of Appeal communicating directions with respect to ling
of written submissions for disposal of the subject appeal.
18. The petitioner reacted to the application, by the 1st respondent for stay of execution, by ling grounds
of opposition, dated June 2, 2021. It is argued that the question of stay pending appeal was raised
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previously, was heard and was determined, and, therefore, it was res judicata. It is also argued that the
application was a dilatory tactic. It is submitted that the 1st respondent was seeking a discretionary
order, while he had refused to le responses and submissions to the main petition. Finally, it is argued
that public interest militated against delaying the disposal of the petition.
19. None of the other parties took a position on the application, dated February 22, 2021, for they did
not le any response.
20. The 1st respondent subsequently led written submissions on that application, dated February 24,
2021, essentially stating that there was an appeal pending and intended appeals, which were prima facie
arguable, had merit and good chances of success, and which justied, in his view, stay of the proceedings
herein. He cites the decisions in Global Tours & travels Limited Nairobi HC Winding Up Cause No.
43 of 2000 (Ringera J)(unreported) and Kenya Power & Lighting Company Limited vs. Esther Wanjiru
Wokabi [2019] eKLR (Githua J), to argue that the draft memorandum of appeal, with respect to the
decision of this court of December 17, 2020 and the memorandum of appeal led in Civil Appeal
No. 286 of 2020 (The Honourable the Attorney General vs. Adrian Kamotho Njenga & 3 others),
present material demonstrating that the appeals raise arguable points of law and jurisprudence, which
were well-founded on the Constitution and legal precedents, and had good prospects of success. It is
submitted that this court should down its tools to obviate engaging in a mere academic exercise. It
is also argued that the court ought to consider the possibility of exposing itself to embarrassment, by
conducting proceedings parallel to those by the Court of Appeal, as conicting decisions would aront
the dignity of judicial processes. Elias Mwangi Mugwe vs. Public Procurement Administrative Review
Board, Kenya Revenue Authority, Trademark East Africa, Attorney General, Webb Fontaine Group FZ
– LLZ & Bull Sas Ltd [2016] eKLR (Odunga J), was cited, where the court stayed the proceedings
before it for the sake of preserving the dignity of the judicial process, in view of pending proceedings.
Law Society of Kenya vs. Attorney General & another [2019] eKLR (Maraga CJ&P), Ibrahim, Wanjala,
Njoki & Lenaola, SCJJ), was cited, with respect to hierarchy of the courts, and the subordinate court
staying its proceedings where the higher court is seized of a similar or related matter.
21. The application was argued on July 26, 2021. Mr Waweru Gatonye stated that the 1st respondent had
since led an appeal at the Court of Appeal, being Civil Appeal No. E221 of 2021, against the ruling
of December 17, 2020. He said that the said appeal had been certied urgent, and parties had been
directed to le written submissions, and the Court of Appeal could pronounce itself on the matter at
any time. He argued that there could be conict with decisions of this court and the Court of Appeal,
and that that could lead to embarrassment to both courts.
22. On his part, Mr. Bitta, for the 2nd respondent, supported stay of proceedings. Mr. Ochiel for the
petitioner, opposed the application for stay. He took the view that whatever the Court of Appeal would
decide on the matters before it, the High Court would, no doubt, comply. The other parties did not
express themselves, one way or another, on the matter.
23. The 1st respondent sought stay on the basis of pendency of appellate proceedings. There are two
aspects to it. One, is with respect to an appeal by the 1st respondent himself to the Court of Appeal,
with respect to orders that touched on his joinder as a party to these proceedings; and, two, the appeal
led by the 2nd respondent in Civil Appeal No. 286 of 2020 (The Honourable the Attorney General vs.
Adrian Kamotho Njenga & 3 others) arising from the decision in Adrian Kamotho Njenga vs Attorney
General, Judicial Service Commission & 2 Others (Interested Parties) [2020] eKLR (Achode PJ, JA
Makau & Mwita JJ). We shall address the two in turn.
24. Initially, the 1st respondent only had notices of appeal to show of his eort to move the appellate court,
and appeared to rely more on the pendency of the appeal by the 2nd respondent in Civil Appeal No.
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286 of 2020 (The Honourable the Attorney General vs. Adrian Kamotho Njenga & 3 others), but later he
indicated that he had since led his own appeal, being Civil Appeal No. E221 of 2021. That was initially
communicated through a letter by his advocate, Mr. Waweru Gatonye, dated July 22, 2021, addressed
to the petitioner, and copied to the court. Mr Waweru Gatonye also adverted to it in court on July 26,
2021 when he argued his stay application. A copy of the memorandum of appeal that was lodged in
the appeal in Civil Appeal No. E221 of 2021 was not placed before us, and, therefore, we cannot tell
immediately the nature of grounds advanced in the appeal. We can only presume that they are the same
as those set out in the draft memorandum of appeal attached to the adavit of Allan Kamau, sworn
on February 22, 2021, in support of the stay application. The issues raised in that draft memorandum
of appeal turn largely on the question of the immunity of the 1st respondent from civil proceedings
arising from actions done by him in ocial capacity, and his joinder as a party to the proceedings. The
only other issue raised is that the court had failed to take cognisance of the pendency of the appeal in
Civil Appeal No. 286 of 2020 (The Honourable the Attorney General vs. Adrian Kamotho Njenga &
3 others).
25. The question then that we have to grapple with, with respect to pendency of Civil Appeal No.
E221 of 2021, is whether we should stay proceedings herein to await the outcome of those appellate
proceedings. The principal complaint by the 1st respondent in his appeal, if it is based on the grounds
in the draft memorandum of appeal, is the question of his immunity and misjoinder in the instant
proceedings. The petition before us does not turn on the immunity of the 1st respondent, that arose as
a preliminary issue, which we disposed of, by holding that there was a misjoinder with respect to him.
That question is now not before us. His complaint now appears to be that we should have gone further
and ordered his removal as a party to the proceedings. Declaring that there was misjoinder, so far as
he was concerned, was, in our view, sucient. It was left open to him to either exit the proceedings,
or stay on as a nominal party, if he so wished. He did not exit, and has stayed on, and he appears keen
on participating in the proceedings, as shall become clear in the following paragraphs. The issue of
his joinder is no longer before us. The third issue raised is that we have not taken cognisance of the
pendency of the appeal in Civil Appeal No. 286 of 2020 (The Honourable the Attorney General vs.
Adrian Kamotho Njenga & 3 others). Having found on December 17, 2020 that there was a misjoinder
of the 1st respondent, the 1st respondent ideally should have exited the proceedings, and left the 2nd
respondent to represent him. But since the orders sought in the petition are against him, his presence
in the proceedings does not in any way prejudice him.
26. Even if the issues of immunity and misjoinder were before us, the decision in David Ndii & others
vs. Attorney General & others (2021) eKLR (J. Ngugi, Odunga, Ngaah, Mwita & Matheka JJ), took a
position similar to ours of December 17, 2020, but even went further than us and stated that the 1st
respondent was not immune to litigation, where there were allegations of violation of the Constitution
by him. On appeal, the Court of Appeal in David Ndii & others vs. Attorney General & others (2021)
eKLR (J. Ngugi, Odunga, Ngaah, Mwita & Matheka JJ) and Independent Electoral & Boundaries
Commission & 4 others vs. David Ndii & 82 others; Kenya Human Rights Commission & 4 others
(Amicus Curiae) [2021] eKLR (Musinga P, Nambuye, Okwengu, Kiage, Gatembu, Sichale & Tuiyott
JJA), armed that position, and said that the 1st respondent does not enjoy absolute immunity
against civil proceedings during tenure of oce and neither is he is above the law, he is subject to the
Constitution; and, if he, in execution of his constitutional functions, violates the Constitution, he can
be sued in his governmental or ocial capacity through the 2nd respondent, and that such proceedings
are usually instituted by way judicial review or a constitutional petition. See also Kenya Human Rights
Commission & another vs. Attorney General & 6 others [2019] eKLR (Musinga, Gatembu & Murgor
JJA). That would then mean that the two issues, in our view, if raised on appeal, have little chances of
success, in terms of the Court of Appeal arriving at a contrary decision.
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27. The alternative prayer for stay, is pegged on the pendency of Civil Appeal No. 286 of 2020 (The
Honourable the Attorney General vs. Adrian Kamotho Njenga & 3 others), and the 1st respondent is
saying that that appeal, which arose from a suit, apart from the instant one, and to which the 1st
respondent was not party, should be basis for stay of the instant proceedings. Our response to this
prayer, is related to what we have already said above. Our ruling of December 17, 2020 arose from
complaints by the 1st respondent, that he had wrongly been made a party to the instant proceedings,
for he enjoyed immunity and should not have been sued, and we granted that plea, by nding that there
was misjoinder, and that eectively should have caused him to exit the proceedings. We nd it curious
that the 1st respondent is still making applications, where he is still advancing a substantive case instead
of leaving it entirely to the 2nd respondent, who he is arguing is the correct and proper party to advance
his case. He is either a party who is wrongly joined to these proceedings, and who should be out, or he is
an active party who is aggressively ling applications, inviting the court to stay the instant proceedings,
so that an appeal that has been led by another party, arising from proceedings in which he was not
even a party, can be heard and determined. He cannot approbate and reprobate at the same time.
28. Having found that the matter before us was not res judicata Adrian Kamotho Njenga vs Attorney
General, Judicial Service Commission & 2 Others (Interested Parties) [2020] eKLR (Achode PJ, JA
Makau & Mwita JJ) at the High Court, the issues raised in Civil Appeal No. 286 of 2020 (The
Honourable the Attorney General vs. Adrian Kamotho Njenga & 3 others) cannot aect the substantive
orders sought in the instant petition. The orders made in Adrian Kamotho Njenga vs Attorney General,
Judicial Service Commission & 2 Others (Interested Parties) [2020] eKLR (Achode PJ, JA Makau &
Mwita JJ) were declarations on appointment, while the issues raised in the instant petition are in respect
of partial appointment, what the petitioner calls “sherry picking,” and generally about enforcement of
the decision in Adrian Kamotho Njenga vs Attorney General, Judicial Service Commission & 2 Others
(Interested Parties) [2020] eKLR (Achode PJ, JA Makau & Mwita JJ).
29. Looking at the matter globally, we are of the persuasion that there is no merit in the Motion, dated
February 22, 2021, and we hereby decline the plea by the 1st respondent to stay these proceedings on
account of the reasons given in his application.
Whether the 1st respondent disobeyed the orders in Adrian Kamotho Njenga vs Attorney General,
Judicial Service Commission & 2 Others (Interested Parties) [2020] eKLR (Achode PJ, JA
Makau & Mwita JJ), seeing that the said orders were merely declaratory
30. In the petition, the petitioner does not specically plead disobedience of the orders of the court
by the 1st respondent, but of refusal to appoint all the nominees that the 1st interested party had
recommended. It is pleaded that the 1st respondent refused to gazette all the nominees, despite a court
order, and that no appeal had been proered against the order, there was no stay of execution obtained,
but nevertheless, the ling of a notice of appeal by the 2nd respondent amounted to a ploy to delay the
appointment process, and was in contempt of court, a constitutional violation and neglect of duty. It is
averred that the refusal or failure to comply with the judgment undermined the authority of the court,
denied the nominees rights to court’s justice and fair trial guarantees, and was a continuing violation
of the Constitution. The said averments are echoed in the Motion, dated 19th June 2020.
31. In its written submissions, the petitioner argues that the 1st respondent cannot lawfully refuse to
appoint all the nominees recommended by the 1st interested party, and cites Adrian Kamotho Njenga
vs. Attorney General, Judicial Service Commission & 2 others (Interested Parties) [2020] eKLR (Achode
PJ, Makau & Mwita JJ), where the court declared that the 1st respondent was constitutionally bound
by the recommendations made by the 1st interested party in accordance with articles 166(1) and 172(1)
(a) of the Constitution, the failure violated the Constitution and the Judicial Service Act, No. 1 of
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2011, and the continued delay in making the appointments amounted to violation of articles 2(1),
3(1), 10, 73(1)(a), 131(2)(a), 166(1), 172(1)(a) and 249(2) of the Constitution. It is submitted that
the 1st respondent was constitutionally duty-bound to appoint the nominees in accordance with the
declarations made by the court, and that his failure to do so amounted to disobedience of the orders,
which did not bode well for rule of law in the country, for it set a bad example to the general populace,
and could encourage a culture of disobedience of court orders.
32. The 1st respondent has not replied to the petition, neither has he led written submissions on the
petition, which is understandable, given that the court had previously ruled that he had been mis-
joined to the matter and was a wrong party, although the court did not go on to remove him from
the proceedings.
33. The 2nd respondent led a further adavit, sworn by Allan Kamau, on 23rd July 2021, bringing to
the attention of the court a decision made by the Supreme Court, in Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery Board
vs. Commission on Administrative Justice & 2 others [2021] eKLR (Mwilu Ag CJ & Ag P, Ibrahim,
Wanjala, Njoki & Lenaola SCJJ), on recommendations by independent commissions, like the 1st
interested party, to public bodies, like the 1st respondent.
34. In his written submissions, the 2nd respondent submits that the petition is based on an erroneous
factual premise of the nature and orders made in Adrian Kamotho Njenga vs. Attorney General, Judicial
Service Commission & 2 others (Interested Parties) [2020] eKLR (Achode PJ, Makau & Mwita JJ). It
is argued that the orders made did not direct the 1st respondent to take or not take action, but were
declaratory orders. It is also submitted that there was a false premise that the 2nd respondent had not
appealed against those declaratory orders in Adrian Kamotho Njenga vs. Attorney General, Judicial
Service Commission & 2 others (Interested Parties) [2020] eKLR (Achode PJ, Makau & Mwita JJ),
for he lodged Nairobi Court of Appeal Civil Appeal No. 286 of 2020. It is submitted that the act
of ling appeal against the orders in Adrian Kamotho Njenga vs. Attorney General, Judicial Service
Commission & 2 others (Interested Parties) [2020] eKLR (Achode PJ, Makau & Mwita JJ) did not
amount to contempt of court.
35. The reaction by the 3rd respondent and the 1st interested party took the form of grounds of
opposition, dated June 14, 2021, in which they have not responded to the issues raised concerning
the refusal or failure to comply with or disobedience, by the 1st respondent, of the court orders made
in Adrian Kamotho Njenga vs. Attorney General, Judicial Service Commission & 2 others (Interested
Parties) [2020] eKLR (Achode PJ, Makau & Mwita JJ).
36. During the highlighting of the written submissions led by the parties, the petitioner submitted that
the 1st respondent was bound by article 166(1) of the Constitution, to appoint judges, in accordance
with recommendations by the 1st interested party. It was submitted that the court, in Adrian Kamotho
Njenga vs. Attorney General, Judicial Service Commission & 2 others (Interested Parties) [2020] eKLR
(Achode PJ, Makau & Mwita JJ), had, in the judgment of 6th February 2020, stated that the 1st
respondent had no mandate to vary the recommendations made by the 1st interested party, and he had
become bound constitutionally by the recommendations of the 1st interested party to make all the
appointments. It was submitted that the 1st respondent initially refused to appoint all the forty-one
nominees, he then made appointments, leaving out the surviving six nominees. It was submitted that
that conduct was unconstitutional. Etienne Mureinik, “A Bridge to Where? Introducing the Interim
Bill of Rights,” [1994] 10 SAJHR 31, was cited, for the proposition that the Constitution creates a
“culture of justication,” where every exercise of power has to be justied on reasons. It was submitted
that the 1st respondent had not given any reasons for his refusal to make the appointments. It was
further submitted that the conduct by the 1st respondent was not new, and the decision, in Law Society
of Kenya vs. Attorney General & another vs. Mohamed Abdullahi Warsame & another (Interested
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Parties) [2019] eKLR (Mwita J), was cited, concerning the decision by the 1st respondent not to
appoint Warsame JA, who had been elected representative of the Court of Appeal to the 1st interested
party. In that case the High Court held that the 1st respondent was a product of the Constitution
and the law, and that he was a servant of the law, and that he was bound by the Constitution and the
law, and in the end the court made orders that enabled Warsame JA to assume his position at the 1st
interested party. It also cited the decision by the Court of Appeal of Samoa, in Attorney General vs.
Latu [2021] WSCA 6 (Perese CJ, Tuatagaloa & Warren JJ), with regard to refusal to swear Speaker of
Parliament and of newly elected Members of Parliament in that country, and the court declared that
the Head of State, in that country, had no power which was above or over the Constitution, to refuse
to do what the Constitution mandated him to.
37. It was submitted that the doctrine of rule of law was about accountability under the law, it bound the
1st respondent, and the law included decisions of the court, and, therefore, it was about obedience
of decisions of the court. The petitioner further submitted that, in Kalpana Rawal & 2 others vs
Judicial Service Commission & 2 others [2016] eKLR (Mutunga CJ&P, Ibrahim, Ojwang, Wanjala &
Njoki SCJJ), the Supreme Court had declared that article 10 of the Constitution was a peremptory
constitutional injunction, which applied to every exercise of constitutional mandate. Ron Fuller,
Internal Morality of the Law, 1964, was cited, for the proposition that failure of conuence between
the announced decisions and their demonstration in action resulted in a bad system in law. It was
emphasised that there was reciprocity as between the citizens and the government on obedience of the
law, and when government failed to obey the law, then citizens were not obliged to obey the law. The
petitioner went on to argue that the refusal by the 1st respondent to appoint the judges was tyrannical
and inconsistent with the rule of law. John Locke, Second Treatise of Government, was quoted on
tyranny, where it was dened as the employment of power for private advantage. It was submitted
that the conduct of disobeying court orders stood to be rebuked, and that it was in public interest
to send out a message that court orders cannot be ignored, and that, because of the status of the 1st
respondent, he has an obligation to obey court orders. It was submitted that the 1st respondent had
led in defying court orders and the Constitution. It was asserted that the former President of South
Africa, Jacob Zuma, was serving a jail term for disobeying the law, and that no one was above the law,
nor above the Constitution. See Secretary of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State
Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector including Organs of State vs Zuma & others (CCT
52/210 [2021] ZACC 18 (29th June 2021) (Khampepe Ad CJ, Jafta, Madlanga, Majiedt, Mhlantla,
Theron, Tshiqi JJ, Pillay & Tlaletsi Ag JJ). It was argued that the refusal by the 1st respondent to make
the appointments was unconstitutional, and the court must declare so. It was contrary to the rule of
law, and was, instead, more akin to rule by men. See the Miguna vs. Fred Matiang’i, Cabinet Secretary
Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government & 8 others [2018] eKLR (Odunga J).
The court was urged to speak for the Constitution and declare the unconstitutionality, where it has
occurred.
38. On the issue of disobedience of court orders, the 1st respondent argued that the orders sought to
be enforced were declaratory, and that there could be no disobedience of such orders by the 1st
respondent.
39. The 2nd respondent argued that an interpretation by the High Court was not nal, for there is a
constitutional right to seek review of the interpretation, at the Court of Appeal and the Supreme
Court, by virtue of articles 163 and 164 of the Constitution. It was asserted that invocation of that
constitutional right cannot be contempt of court or disobedience of the order of the court. It was
argued that the 1st respondent was not satised with the outcome at the High Court, and he had
approached the Court of Appeal for review. It was submitted that the High Court had been made
aware of the appeal. It was argued that the High Court had not given injunctive orders against the
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1st and 2nd respondents, for the orders made were declaratory, premised on the interpretation by the
High Court, and, therefore, the question of disobedience of an interpretative decision of the High
Court did not arise. It was asserted that it would be contradictory for the High Court to nd that
the declarations were nal, and the 1st respondent had disobeyed those orders. It was argued that
Law Society of Kenya vs. Attorney General & another vs. Mohamed Abdullahi Warsame & another
(Interested Parties) [2019] eKLR (Mwita J) was distinguished in Adrian Kamotho Njenga vs. Attorney
General, Judicial Service Commission & 2 others (Interested Parties) [2020] eKLR (Achode PJ, Makau
& Mwita JJ), where a distinction was drawn between re-appointment of commissioners to the 1st
interested party and appointment of Judges. Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery Board vs. Commission on
Administrative Justice & 2 others [2021] eKLR (Mwilu Ag CJ & Ag P, Ibrahim, Wanjala, Njoki &
Lenaola SCJJ) was cited to make the point that the recommendations of independent constitutional
commissions, like the 1st interested party, were not binding on public bodies, like the 1st respondent.
It was submitted that whatever the Supreme Court states in any decision becomes the law, by dint of
article 163(7) of the Constitution, and it should bind all the courts subordinate to it. It was argued that
in view of that decision, this court should hold back its decision on the petition to await outcome of
the appeal at the Court of Appeal.
40. The other parties did not make any submissions on the matter of disobedience of the orders of the court
in Adrian Kamotho Njenga vs. Attorney General, Judicial Service Commission & 2 others (Interested
Parties) [2020] eKLR (Achode PJ, Makau & Mwita JJ) by the 1st respondent.
41. What we then have to consider is whether the orders made, in Adrian Kamotho Njenga vs. Attorney
General, Judicial Service Commission & 2 others (Interested Parties) [2020] eKLR (Achode PJ, Makau
& Mwita JJ), are capable of disobedience, being declaratory, and whether, if we nd them to be capable
of being disobeyed, the 1st respondent had disobeyed them.
42. The nearest denition of what amounts to a declaratory judgment or order that we got with respect to
civil proceedings is in Johana Nyokwoyo Buti vs. Walter Rasugu Omariba (suing through his attorney
Beutah Onsomu Rasugu & 2 others) [2011] eKLR (Omolo, Githinji & Aganyanya JJA), where the
court said as follows:
“ A declaration or declaratory judgment is an order of the court which merely declares what
the rights of the parties to the proceedings are and which has no coercive force – that is, it
does not require anyone to do anything. It is available both in private and public law save in
judicial review jurisdiction at the moment. The rule gives general power to the courts to give
a declaratory judgment at the instance of a party interested in the subject matter regardless
of whether or not the interested party had a cause of action in the subject matter.”
43. We take the view that there can be general declarations, which require no action, like in Johana
Nyokwoyo Buti vs. Walter Rasugu Omariba (suing through his attorney Beutah Onsomu Rasugu & 2
others) [2011] eKLR (Omolo, Githinji & Aganyanya JJA, where the declaration was that a decision of a
tribunal was unlawful because it had been made without jurisdiction, which meant that no action was
required. But there can be specic declarations, which require action to be taken by a party to which
it is directed, such as in declaratory suits in subrogation cases.
44. What is obedience and disobedience of a judgment or order? In ordinary everyday language, obedience,
as dened in the Concise Oxford English Dictionary, Twelfth Edition, Oxford University Press, 2011,
refers to compliance with an order or law or submission to the authority of another. Disobedience,
therefore, would be the failure or refusal to be obedient to an order or law, or to comply with such
order or law, or to submit to some authority. Black’s Law Dictionary, Tenth Edition, Thomson Reuters,
2014, denes obedience as compliance with a law, command, or authority. Disobedience would be
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the converse, the refusal to do what one is commanded to do, or to disregard or ignore authority or
commands of an authority, or the refusal to obey a rule or law, or to break such rule or law.
45. Is a declaratory judgment or order capable of being disobeyed? Obedience of a judgment or order may
depend, largely, on its enforceability. It was observed, in Chief RA Okoya and Ors vs. S Santilli and ors
(SC 200/1989) [1990] 82 (March 23, 1990) (Nnamani, Uwais, Karibi-Whyte, Kawu and Agbaje JJSC),
that whereas an executory judgment declares respective rights of parties, and then proceeds to order
the defendant to act in a particular way, by either paying damages, or refraining from interfering with
the rights of the plainti, and that such rights are enforceable by execution, if disobeyed; declaratory
judgments merely proclaim existence of a legal relationship, and do not contain any order which may
be enforced against the defendant. Of course, right correlates to duty, and the position stated in the
above matter includes declaration of duties and obligations.
46. Declaratory orders are popularly made with respect to proceedings against government or its agencies
or ocials, on the presumption of the high improbability that a government ocer would not set
himself in deance of a judgment or order of the court, in the belief that the defendant or government
agency or ocial is a responsible authority, and it is thought inconceivable that the declaratory order
would not result in the plainti obtaining his rights. Put simply, it is assumed that the government or
its agencies or ocials are responsible authorities, and it is hoped that they would abide by or obey
the declaratory judgment or order. Of course, government agencies, entities and ocials often treat
such declaratory judgments or orders with contempt and disdain, thereby forfeiting their right to
be regarded as responsible authority, and when that happens a suit to enforce the declaratory order
becomes necessary. See Webster vs. Southwark London Borough Council [1983] QBD 698 (Forbes J) and
Chief RA Okoya and Ors vs. S Santilli and ors (SC 200/1989) [1990] 82 (23rd March 1990) (Nnamani,
Uwais, Karibi-Whyte, Kawu and Agbaje JJSC).
47. The declaratory judgment or order declares the rights and duties of the parties, so that the rights of the
claimant are declared as against the government or its agency or ocial, and the corresponding duty of
the government or its agencies or ocials is equally declared, with respect to giving the claimant those
declared rights or actualizing them. The presumption then would be that a responsible government
or its agency or ocial would harken to the declaratory judgment or order by giving the claimant his
right, through discharging the duty or obligation pronounced or declared by the court, as burdening
the government or its agency or ocial. In the declaratory order, the court informs government or
its agency or ocial what the law says on the subject-matter, with regard to rights of some party, and
points out the duties of the government or its agency or ocial with respect to the same. The order
may not be specic, in terms of being couched in language that directs the government or its agency or
ocial to do or refrain from doing a specic thing, but is it is usually plain enough on what is expected
of the government or its agency or ocial. The failure or refusal or disregard by government or its
agencies or ocials, to harken to a declaratory judgment or order, is a deance or disobedience of the
declaratory judgment or order, as it would amount to refusal to do or refrain from doing that which the
court had declared to be right or wrong. The answer, therefore, to the question whether a declaratory
judgment or order can be disobeyed, is in the armative.
48. Both the petitioner and the 2nd respondent, during submissions made reference to contempt of court.
In our understanding, the petitioner was using contempt of court interchangeably with disobedience
of the declaratory orders. The 2nd respondent, on the other hand, used the term to mean the same
thing. The issue of contempt of court orders is not before us. It is not one of the prayers sought in the
petition, and we shall leave it at that.
49. The denition in Johana Nyokwoyo Buti vs. Walter Rasugu Omariba (suing through his attorney Beutah
Onsomu Rasugu & 2 others) [2011] eKLR (Omolo, Githinji & Aganyanya JJA) was given pre-2010
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Constitution, and dwelt on declarations in general civil cases, and not constitutional petitions. The
Constitution 2010, at article 23(3)(a), now provides declaration as a relief in constitutional petitions.
Declaratory reliefs, as provided for in the Constitution, are not just about rights, but are inclusive of
declaration of duties and obligations. Most of the litigants who move the court under Article 22 claim
that their rights have been violated, which allegation would mean that they claim a failure to perfume
duties by those against whom the petition is brought.
50. The orders, that are the subject of these proceedings, and that were made in Adrian Kamotho Njenga
vs. Attorney General, Judicial Service Commission & 2 others (Interested Parties) [2020] eKLR (Achode
PJ, Makau & Mwita JJ), are declaratory in nature, save for the order on costs. The said orders state as
follows:
“ (a) a declaration be and is hereby issued that the President is constitutionally
bound by the recommendation made by the 1st Interested Party in accordance
with Article 166(1) as read with article 172(1)(a) of the Constitution on the
persons to be appointed as Judges;
b. a declaration be and is hereby issued that the President’s failure to appoint the
persons recommended for appointment as Judges violates the Constitution
and the Judicial Service Act;
c. a declaration be and is hereby issued that the continued delay to appoint
the persons recommended as judges of the respective court is a violation of
articles 2(1), 3(1), 10, 73(1)(a), 131(2)(a), 166(1), 172(1)(a) and 249(2) of the
Constitution; and
d. Costs to the petitioner.”
51. The above were declarations of rights and duties, which were not general, but specic, issued as a
relief under article 23(3)(a) of the Constitution, which required the 1st respondent to take action,
within fourteen days, in line with 1st interested party’s recommendations, according to Law Society
of Kenya vs. Attorney General & 2 others [2016] eKLR (Mwongo PJ, W Korir, M. Ngugi, Odunga
and Onguto JJ), which, therefore, created a constitutional mandatory duty upon the 1st respondent,
to act, as provided for under article 131, as read together with article 166(1)(b), of the Constitution.
Our understanding of article 23(3)(a) is that declaratory orders make clear both rights and duties of
parties, and where duties are declared or made clear then there is an obligation to act upon the order. A
declaratory order is intended to make clear to the parties what their constitutional rights and duties are,
if they were unclear before, once the constitutional or statutory duties or obligations are made clear, by
the declaratory order, there would be an expectation that the bearer acts. Whereas declaration of a right
may require no action thereafter, the declaration of duty shall require that the bearer of the duty to
discharge the same, or to refrain or stop from so acting, if he was acting wrongly or in abuse of the duty.
52. So, are the declaratory orders made, in Adrian Kamotho Njenga vs. Attorney General, Judicial Service
Commission & 2 others (Interested Parties) [2020] eKLR (Achode PJ, Makau & Mwita JJ), capable
of being disobeyed? We have found and held that declaratory orders are, generally, capable of being
disobeyed, to the extent that some compliance is expected with respect to some of them, and to the
extent the party against whom they are directed has ignored or disregarded or failed to do what the
orders expect him to do or refrain from doing. The orders made in Adrian Kamotho Njenga vs. Attorney
General, Judicial Service Commission & 2 others (Interested Parties) [2020] eKLR (Achode PJ, Makau
& Mwita JJ) are no exception. The court made three declarations in the matter. We shall examine each
one of them in turn.
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53. The rst declaration is that the 1st respondent was constitutionally bound by the recommendation,
by the 1st interested party, under article 166(1) and 172(1)(a) of the Constitution, on the persons
recommended for appointment as Judges. This order is about right of access to justice by the citizens,
for which the recommendations were made, with a corresponding duty on the part of the 1st
respondent to facilitate the right by making the appointments. At the secondary level, the order
declares a right in favour of the persons recommended for appointment by the 1st interested party.
The recommendation by the 1st interested party granted them a right to that appointment. The
duty to appoint is imposed by article 166(1)(b) of the Constitution, and it arises automatically upon
a recommendation for appointment being made by the 1st interested party, as was made clear in
Law Society of Kenya vs. Attorney General & 2 others [2016] eKLR (Mwongo PJ, W Korir, M.
Ngugi, Odunga and Onguto JJ). At the same time, the right to be appointed accrues, under the
Constitution, once the recommendation is made by the 1st interested party. The declaration made
clear what the constitutional obligations of the 1st respondent are as regards the appointments. The
declaration merely restated the constitutional obligations, as the court, in Law Society of Kenya vs.
Attorney General & 2 others [2016] eKLR (Mwongo PJ, W Korir, M. Ngugi, Odunga and Onguto
JJ), had already made clear the position. The 1st respondent, as a responsible authority, by dint of
his position, and the oath that he took under article 131(2) of the Constitution, upon ascending to
that oce, to uphold the Constitution, is expected to abide by the declaration, and act in accordance
with what the Constitution commands him, under article 166(1) as read with article 172(1)(a). It
is a constitutional command, the court merely restated what the Constitution says on the subject.
So, if the 1st respondent fails or omits or decides to ignore or disregard, or, to use the language in
Webster vs. Southwark London Borough Council [1983] QBD 698 (Forbes J), refuse to abide by what the
Constitution says, as declared by the court, there would be disobedience of the said declaratory order.
54. The second order declares that the failure, by the 1st respondent, to appoint the persons recommended
for appointment as Judges, violated the Constitution and the Judicial Service Act. This was a
declaration with respect to discharge of a constitutional and statutory duty by the 1st respondent,
and it merely restates the 1st respondent’s duty accruing from the provisions of articles 166(1) and
172(1)(a) of the Constitution, and that that failure to comply with the said provisions amounted to
a violation of the Constitution. There is a duty on the part of the 1st respondent to respect, uphold
and safeguard the Constitution, under Article 131(2)(a). By violating the Constitution, in refusing to
make the appointment as envisaged, would mean that the 1st respondent would not be upholding the
Constitution that he had sworn, upon ascension into oce, to protect and respect. The declaratory
order serves as a reminder to him, and an injunction, that he should obey and respect the Constitution,
and do duty as required of him by it. Failure to act upon this declaration being made, would mean that
the violation continues, and that would amount to a continued disobedience of the Constitution, and
by extension, the declaratory orders made by the court.
55. The last declaration is that the continued delay to appoint the persons recommended by the 1st
interested party, for appointment as Judges, was a violation of articles 2(1), 3(1), 10, 73(1)(a), 131(2)
(a), 166(1), 172(1)(a) and 249(2) of the Constitution. Like the second declaration, it merely states a
violation, that by continuing to defy the Constitution and statute, by delaying the appointments,
the 1st respondent was violating other provisions of the Constitution. We reiterate that the 1st
respondent, and, indeed, no one else, is above the Constitution and the law. (See David Ndii &
others vs. Attorney General & others (2021) eKLR (J. Ngugi, Odunga, Ngaah, Mwita & Matheka
JJ) and Independent Electoral & Boundaries Commission & 4 others vs. David Ndii & 82 others;
Kenya Human Rights Commission & 4 others (Amicus Curiae) [2021] eKLR (Musinga P, Nambuye,
Okwengu, Kiage, Gatembu, Sichale & Tuiyott JJA)). The oce the 1st respondent holds is a creation
of the Constitution, and he is himself subject to that Constitution, a continued violation of numerous
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provisions of the Constitution, would suggest disobedience of the constitutional demands, as captured
in the declaration that reminds the 1st respondent of his obligations under the Constitution.
56. Has the 1st respondent disobeyed or failed to obey the orders made in Adrian Kamotho Njenga vs.
Attorney General, Judicial Service Commission & 2 others (Interested Parties) [2020] eKLR (Achode
PJ, Makau & Mwita JJ)? At the time of ling the petition, none of the nominees recommended for
appointment had been sworn in by the 1st respondent, contrary to the rst declaration, which meant
that he was still under a duty under the Constitution to make the appointments. There was, therefore,
disobedience of that order. At the time we heard the petition, on July 26, 2021, the 1st respondent
had just appointed and sworn in thirty-four of the nominees, leaving six out. The fact that the six still
await formal appointment by the 1st respondent, would mean that the 1st respondent has not fully
complied with the Constitution, as required of him by the declaratory judgment. The delay continues,
and, therefore, the disobedience is subsisting.
57. The declarations, in Adrian Kamotho Njenga vs. Attorney General, Judicial Service Commission &
2 others (Interested Parties) [2020] eKLR (Achode PJ, Makau & Mwita JJ), are not new. Similar
declarations had been made by High Court, in Law Society of Kenya vs. Attorney General & 2 others
[2016] eKLR (Mwongo PJ, W Korir, M. Ngugi, Odunga and Onguto JJ), to the eect that upon
submission, by the 1st interested party to the 1st respondent, of names of persons to be appointed
Judges, the 1st respondent was under a mandatory constitutional duty to appoint, swear-in and gazette
the said persons as Judges without unreasonable delay, and that a refusal to do so was unconstitutional.
That bench held that the appointment ought to be made within fourteen days. That determination
was not appealed against. It declared the law on the duty on the part of the 1st respondent, with respect
to Judicial appointments, which the court, in Adrian Kamotho Njenga vs. Attorney General, Judicial
Service Commission & 2 others (Interested Parties) [2020] eKLR (Achode PJ, Makau & Mwita JJ),
similarly declared. The existence of the decision in Law Society of Kenya vs. Attorney General & 2 others
[2016] eKLR (Mwongo PJ, W Korir, M. Ngugi, Odunga and Onguto JJ), since 2016, would mean that
the 1st respondent was aware of his obligation under the Constitution, with respect to appointment
of Judges, when the second decision, in Adrian Kamotho Njenga vs. Attorney General, Judicial Service
Commission & 2 others (Interested Parties) [2020] eKLR (Achode PJ, Makau & Mwita JJ), was being
made.
58. We reiterate Webster vs. Southwark London Borough Council [1983] QBD 698 (Forbes J), and state that
the 1st respondent disobeyed or failed to abide by the declaratory orders in Adrian Kamotho Njenga
vs. Attorney General , Judicial Service Commission & 2 others (Interested Parties) [2020] eKLR (Achode
PJ, Makau & Mwita JJ), and the remedy available, in the face of such disobedience, is the enforcement
cause herein, going by Chief RA Okoya and Ors vs. S Santilli and ors (SC 200/1989) [1990] 82 (March
23, 1990) (Nnamani, Uwais, Karibi-Whyte, Kawu and Agbaje JJSC).
Whether the court should make orders deeming the six remaining nominees as duly appointed
Judges of the respective courts without them being formally appointed and sworn by the 1st
respondent
59. On whether this court should issue orders deeming the six nominees as appointed without being sworn
in by the 1st respondent, the petitioner has submitted that the 1st respondent cannot lawfully refuse
or choose not to appoint Judges where the 1st interested party has recommended and the court has
ordered him to make the appointments. It cites the decision in Council of Governors & 47 Others vs.
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Attorney General & 3 Others (Interested Parties) Katiba Institute & 2 Others (Amicus Curiae) [2020]
eKLR (Maraga CJ&P, Ibrahim, Wanjala, Njoki & Lenaola SCJJ), where the it was stated:
“ All State organs and State ocers must understand that the law comprises not only the
provisions of the Constitution and Acts of Parliament but also decisions of Superior Courts.
It is trite that until set aside, court decisions have to be obeyed by all and sundry: court orders
are part of the law of this country and must be obeyed by all.”
60. The petitioner submits also that the national values and principles of governance, listed in article 10 of
the Constitution, bind all State organs, as well as everyone who applies or interprets the Constitution
or any law or performs any public duty. They cite the case of Kalpana H. Rawal & 2 others vs. Judicial
Service Commission & 2 others [2016] eKLR (Mutunga CJ&P, Ibrahim, Ojwang, Wanjala, Njoki SSJJ),
for the contention that the Supreme Court armed the status of Article 10 of the Constitution as
being a peremptory constitutional injunction. The petitioner further submits that the refusal by the
1st respondent to appoint the six nominees on undisclosed adverse reports strips all meaning of the
transparency requirements under articles 10 and 73 of the Constitution, and violates the rule of law.
Accordingly, the petitioner contends that the conduct of the 1st respondent is not only arbitrary and
capricious, but also dangerous to the Kenyan legal system as a country governed by the rule of law as
opposed to the “rule of man.” Relying on Lon Fuller, The Morality of the Law, Yale University, 1964,
39, the petitioner submits that the 1st respondent’s conduct is a classic case of “failure of congruence
between the rules as announced and their actual administration.” According to Fuller, the task of
preventing a discrepancy between the law, as declared and as actually administered, is entrusted in the
Judiciary.
61. The petitioner also submits that the 1st respondent’s impunity is the kind of tyranny that John Locke
cautioned against, in his Second Treatise of Government, Jonathan Bennett, 2017, 65, when he said:
“ Tyranny is the exercise of power to which nobody can have a right. That is what happens
when someone employs the power he has in his hands, not for the good of those who
are under it but for his own private individual advantage. It is what happens when a
governor, however entitled to govern, is guided not by the law but by his own wants, and
his commands and actions are directed not to preserving his subjects’ properties but to
satisfying his own ambition, revenge, covetousness or any other irregular passion.”
62. The petitioner submits that the refusal by the 1st respondent to make the appointments has the
purpose and eect of extending his appointment powers beyond constitutional limits with an adverse
impact on judicial independence. It contends that the conduct by the 1st respondent has created an
unconstitutional state of aairs and that the nal orders of the court should be targeted at eliminating
this state of aairs through eective measures aimed at the cessation of continuing violations.
63. The 2nd interested party did not le any written submissions, but relied on its response to the
preliminary objections raised by the 1st and 2nd respondents, and a further adavit sworn by its
Executive Director, George Kegoro, and supported the case by the petitioner. The 3rd interested party
did not participate in the proceedings. The 4th interested party did not le written submissions.
64. The 1st respondent did not le any written submissions on this subject, but made oral submissions,
where he adopted and the submissions by the 2nd respondent. The 2nd respondent led written
submissions, which were highlighted in court, the gist of which was that the provisions of the
Constitution that deal with the procedure for appointment of State ocers, more so Judges, who
constitute an arm of government, must be strictly construed. He contended that the appointment of
Judges outside the express provisions of the Constitution would result in questions of legitimacy in
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addition to undermining the adjudication of disputes. The 2nd respondent also contends that issuing
declarations to enforce other declaratory orders as sought by the petitioner was absurd and untenable
in law. He further submits that this court was erroneously being asked to issue orders which had already
been declined in the Adrian Kamotho Njenga vs. Attorney General, Judicial Service Commission & 2
others (Interested Parties) [2020] eKLR (Achode PJ, Makau & Mwita JJ) from which the present case
arose.
65. Further the 2nd respondent submits that it would be a violation of the doctrine of separation of
powers, for this court to use judicial craft, by giving declaratory orders, whose eect was to appoint
persons into oce where the Constitution has expressly conferred that power to another State organ.
The 2nd respondent relies on James Gacheru Kariuki & 69 others vs. William Kabogo Gitau & 104
others [2019] eKLR (Meoli J), where the court stated that:
“ 43. In Mumo Matemu’s case the Court of Appeal had this to say:
“It was the contention of the appellant that the standard of review
must be deferential given that appointments are committed to the
other organs of government. In view of our constitutional design
and the institutional competences attendant to it, it seems to us that
this view cannot and has not been seriously contended in principle
by any of the respondents. Deference is multi-directional, and we
are prepared to hold that in the same way the other branches are to
defer to the jurisdiction of the courts, the courts must also defer to
the other branches where the constitutional design so ordains. We
hold that the standard of judicial review of appointments to State
or Public Oce should therefore be generally deferential, although
courts will not hesitate to be searching where the circumstances of
the case demand a heightened scrutiny provided that the courts do
not purport to sit in appeal over the opinion of the other branches
…”
44. The Court of Appeal in emphasizing the centrality of the doctrine of
separation of powers in our constitutional design observed that:
“We further reiterate that whereas the centrality of the Ethics
and Anti-Corruption Commission as a vessel for enforcement of
provisions on leadership and integrity under Chapter 6 of the
Constitution warrants the heightened scrutiny of the legality of
appointments thereto, that is neither a license for a court to
constitute itself into a vetting body nor an ordination to substitute
the Legislature’s decision for its own choice. To do so would
undermine the principle of separation of powers. It would also
strain judicial competence and authority. Similarly, although the
courts are expositors of what the law is, they cannot prescribe for
the other branches of the government the manner of enforcement
of Chapter 6 of the Constitution, where the function is vested
elsewhere under our constitutional design.”
45. Suce to state that, there is an established democratic system and structure
of government with in -built checks and balances, not only at the county
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government level, but also at the national government level. This court cannot
to purport to take over what are clearly tasks designated to dierent organs
of state, as sought by the Petitioners in this case, without doing violence
to the national values and principles of governance espoused under article
10(2) (a) and (c) of the Constitution. Worse, unwarranted interference with
the functions of county governments would run counter to the objects of
devolution and principles of devolved governments in articles 174 and 175 of
the Constitution, and in extreme cases be tantamount to the supplanting of
the sovereign power of the people espoused in article 1 of the Constitution.”
66. Again, relying on article 134(1)(2)(a) of the Constitution, 2010, the 2nd respondent submits that
the Constitution vests power of appointment of judges exclusively upon the 1st respondent, and
contends that it was so exclusive that not even a person exercising Presidential powers during temporary
incumbency is allowed to appoint a judge.
67. The 3rd respondent and 1st interested party relied on grounds of opposition to oppose the petition,
in the following terms:
a. The petition is bad in law, fatally defective and an abuse of the process of this court;
b. The petition has been overtaken by events and the orders being sought as against the 3rd
respondent and 1st interested party cannot obtain;
c. The 3rd respondent and the 1st interested party are functus ocio;
d. The 3rd respondent and 1st interested party have no powers under the Constitution or the
law stop any judge of a Superior Court or a judicial ocer from performing his or her judicial
functions; and
e. The petition has no merits.
68. The 3rd respondent and 1st interested party did not le written submissions, but orally adopted the
above grounds of opposition, and highlighted that they did not have constitutional mandate to swear
in Judges or to stop those appointed from taking oce.
69. The powers and functions of the 1st respondent and the 1st interested party, with regard to
appointment of Judges, is provided for under article 166(1) of the Constitution, which states as follows:
“ 166(1) The President shall appoint
a. The Chief Justice and the Deputy Chief Justice, in accordance with the
recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission, and subject to the
approval of the National Assembly; and
b. All other judges, in accordance with the recommendation of the Judicial
Service Commission.”
70. It follows, in our view, that in appointing the Chief Justice and Deputy Chief Justice, the function of
1st respondent is to receive the recommendations of the 1st interested party, and the approval of the
National Assembly, and appoint the nominees as such. As for other judges, the 1st respondent is only
to receive the recommendation of the 1st interested party, and appoint the nominees as such. In our
view, the 1st respondent has no powers to look anywhere outside that to check on the suitability of
the nominee to be so appointed. In this regard, we echo what was said in Adrian Kamotho Njenga vs
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Attorney General, Judicial Service Commission & 2 Others (Interested Parties) [2020] eKLR (Achode
PJ, JA Makau & Mwita JJ), that:
“ We entirely agree with the above proposition of the law, that once the 1st interested
party makes recommendations, the President has no other option but to formalise the
appointments. He cannot change the list, review it or reject some names. He cannot
even decide who to appoint and who not to appoint. He must appoint the persons as
recommended and forwarded to him by the 1st interested party.”
71. Now that the 1st respondent has not appointed the six nominated Judges as required by the
Constitution, can they be presumed as appointed without them being appointed formally by the
1st respondent? We have on this issue been referred to the case of Law Society of Kenya vs Attorney
General; Mohamed Abdulahi Warsame & Another (Interested Parties) [2019] eKLR (Mwita J), where
the 1st respondent failed to appoint an elected member to the 1st interested party, and the High Court
issued orders enabling him to take up his position at the Commission. We note that the constitutional
provisions for appointment of Commissioners of the 1st interested party are as follows:
“ 71
(1) There is established the Judicial Service Commission.
(2) The Commission shall consist of -
a. the Chief Justice, who shall be the chairman of the
commission;
b. one Supreme Court judge elected by the judges of
the Supreme Court
c. one Court of Appeal judge elected by the judges of
the Court of Appeal
d. one High Court judge and one magistrate, one a
woman and one a man, elected by the members of
the association of judges and magistrates;
e. the Attorney General;
f. two advocates one a woman and one a man, each of
whom has at least fteen years’ experience, elected
by the members of the statutory body responsible
for the professional regulation of advocates;
g. one person nominated by the Public Service
Commission; and
h. one woman and one man to represent the public,
not being lawyers, appointed by the President with
the approval of the of the National Assembly.”
72. It is clear to us, from the above, that the constitutional involvement of the 1st respondent with regard to
appointment of Commissioners to the 1st interested party, only relates to the one woman and one man,
who represent the public. It does not appear to us, that under the Constitution, the 1st respondent has
any constitutional function in the appointment of Commissioners to the 1st interested party, except
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for the two Commissioners representing the public, therefore, the instant case is distinguishable from
Law Society of Kenya vs Attorney General; Mohamed Abdulahi Warsame & Another (Interested Parties)
[2019] eKLR (Mwita J).
73. In view of what the court said in Adrian Kamotho Njenga vs Attorney General, Judicial Service
Commission & 2 Others (Interested Parties) [2020] eKLR (Achode PJ, JA Makau & Mwita JJ), as set
in paragraph 70 of this judgment, we are of the view that the six nominees could be quite properly
deemed to be duly appointed as judges, as the 1st respondent has no choice but to appoint them. The
position, that the 1st respondent has no choice in the matter, was declared and conrmed with nality
in Law Society of Kenya vs. Attorney General & 2 others [2016] eKLR (Mwongo PJ, W Korir, M. Ngugi,
Odunga and Onguto JJ), in the following terms:
“ 71. It is our view that the President having taken part in the nomination process
through his said appointees, once the Commission nominates the persons to
be appointed as Judges, the President’s role is then limited to appointment,
swearing in and gazettement of the said persons as Judges … He cannot
therefore purport to “process,” “vet,” “approve,” or “disapprove” the said
nominees. At that stage the issue of consultation with the Chief Justice, also a
member of the Judicial Service Commission, does not arise.
72. In our view, once the nomination process is nalised, subject to paragraph
16 of the First Schedule to the Act, the Commission and the president have
no other role to play in the matter apart from putting in place formalities of
appointing the nominees as Judges
...In our view, the only way in which the names presented to the President can
be reconsidered, and if so by the Commission itself is pursuant to paragraph
16 of the First Schedule to the Judicial Service Act, 2011, which provides that:
“ The Commission shall not reconsider its nominees after the names
are submitted to the President except in the case of death, incapacity,
or withdrawal of a nominee.
73. …
74. We therefore disabuse the respondents of the notion that the President has
extra-judicial discretion to decision whether or not to appoint the persons
nominated for a appointment as Judges of the High Court. Such a trajectory if,
upheld would, in our view, negate the constitutional interpretation principles
decreed in article 259 which enjoins to interpret the Constitution in a manner
that promoted its purposes, values and principles, advances the rule of law,
human rights and fundamental freedoms in the Bill of Rights and that
contributes to good governance.”
74. The 1st respondent under article 131(1)(a) of the Constitution, is the Head of State and Government.
Under 131(1)(b), he executes his role as head of government with the assistance of the Deputy
President and Cabinet Secretaries. He combines two oces, as Head of State and Head of
Government. He is the rst among equals in the three arms of government, being Executive, Parliament
and Judiciary; which, in our view, means that he is a nominal or titular head of all three. However,
whereas he is the executive head of the Executive, he has no executive function at all in Parliament and
the Judiciary.
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75. As Head of State, the roles of the 1st respondent are limited, in the sense that they are ceremonial,
formal or nominal. With respect to Parliament, it is limited, under article 126(1)(b), to calling for its
rst sitting through notication in the Kenya Gazette, to be held not more than 30 days after the
elections. He addresses Parliament on designated dates. For Judiciary, the role is limited to formal
appointment of Judges, under article 166(1), and appointment of tribunals for removal of Judges
from oce, under article 168, and nothing more. The list of nominees for appointment is forwarded
to the 1st respondent in his capacity as Head of State, and, therefore, his formal or nominal or
ceremonial function, with respect to it, is limited to making the appointments without any additions
or subtractions.
76. For comparative purposes, we have considered the practice in Commonwealth and Common Law
jurisdictions. In Uganda, Judges are appointed by the President on recommendation of the Judicial
Service Commission and approval by Parliament. In Tanzania, High Court Judges are appointed by the
President after consultation with the Judicial Service Commission, while those of the Court of Appeal
are appointed by the President after consultation with the Chief Justice, according to articles 109 and
118(3) of the Constitution of Tanzania. In South Africa, Judges are appointed by the President on
the binding advice of the Judicial Service Commission. In the United Kingdom, Judges are appointed
by the Judicial Appointments Commission through a competitive process. In the United States, the
names of potential nominees, for federal Judges, are recommended by Senators to the President, the
President then makes nominations from the list sent to him, after which the names of the nominated
persons are returned to the Senate for conrmation. The Senate Judiciary Committee conducts
conrmation hearings for each nominee, and whoever is conrmed gets automatically appointed, and
goes on for swearing.
77. The Kenyan Constitution is progressive, and is on the same footing with those of Nigeria, South Africa,
United Kingdom and the United States of America, where the process of nominating Judges is done
competitively, by an independent body, and the role of Head of State is a mere formality, as underscored
in Law Society of Kenya vs. Attorney General & 2 others [2016] eKLR (Mwongo PJ, W Korir, M. Ngugi,
Odunga and Onguto JJ), where the court stated:
“ 76. We agree with the Commission that save for the limited circumstances
provided for in paragraph 16 of the Fifth Schedule to the Act, the role of the
President in the process of appointment of the Judges of the High Court is
purely facilitative as the Head of State and must be in accordance with the
recommendations of the Judicial Service Commission.
77. We reiterate that by coming up with this system of the appointment of Judges,
the people of the Republic of Kenya wanted a clear break from the old system
in which the appointment of Judges of the Superior Courts was in substance
a prerogative of the President with the Judicial Service Commission playing
merely a formal role.”
78. The critical concern here, of course, is what should happen after or where the bearer of a constitutional
duty fails to act as required of him by the Constitution and the law. The Kenyan Constitution, as
drafted does not appear, on the face of it, to contemplate such a scenario, that a responsible authority
would not act, at the time when it is required to, for if that had been envisaged, then a provision would
have been inserted in the Constitution to remedy that. Such is, for example, where an appointment
is not made within the timelines, then something should follow, either the same could be deemed, or
would lapse or something of that character. In absence of such a provision, then recourse can only be
to court by way of a constitutional petition or judicial review, like has been done in this case. All this
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would have, perhaps, been avoided, had there been a clear follow up provision in the Constitution or
legislation.
79. The 1st and 2nd respondents have cited Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery Board vs. Commission on
Administrative Justice & 2 others [2021] eKLR (Mwilu Ag CJ & Ag P, Ibrahim, Wanjala, Njoki
& Lenaola SCJJ), to make the case that the power to appoint Judges vests exclusively in the 1st
respondent by virtue of article 134(2)(a), and cannot be exercised by anyone else. In Kenya Vision
2030 Delivery Board vs. Commission on Administrative Justice & 2 others [2021] eKLR (Mwilu Ag
CJ & Ag P, Ibrahim, Wanjala, Njoki & Lenaola SCJJ), the Supreme Court was considering whether
recommendations made by the Commission on Administration of Justice were binding on public
bodies, and went on to state that the court could not dictate the manner in which the public bodies
could implement the recommendation, except where there was gross abuse of discretion, manifest
injustice or palpable excess authority equivalent to denial of a settled right, among others. That decision
was limited, in our view, to recommendations arising from complaints raised with the Commission
on Administration of Justice, with regard to handling of matters in the wider justice sector, and how
public authorities are to handle recommendations made by that Commission, or similar Commissions,
arising from such complaints. The recommendations referred to in that case are not of the nature
contemplated in article 161(1)(b) of the Constitution, and, therefore, the said decision is clearly
distinguishable.
80. The situation that faces us is fairly novel, what do you do when the 1st respondent, as Head of State,
fails, for whatever reasons and under whatever circumstances, to discharge a constitutional duty, which,
under the Constitution vests solely in him. Our attention has been drawn to a decision of the Court
of Appeal of Samoa, in Attorney General vs. Latu [2021] WSCA 6 (Perese CJ, Tuatagaloa & Warren
JJ), with respect to failure by the Head of State of Samoa to convene the rst sitting of the Parliament
post-election within the timelines allowed in the Samoan Constitution, equivalent to article 126(2)(a)
of the Kenya Constitution. In the Samoan case, the Head of State indicated to the Clerk of Parliament,
just a day to the event, that he would not attend the ceremony, whereupon his Deputy also indicated
that in the absence of the Head of State, he would also not attend. Eorts were made to have the Clerk
of Parliament step into the shoes of the Head of State and his Deputy, but the Clerk also stayed away.
The meeting was held on Parliament grounds, the absences of the three notwithstanding. A motion
was moved for appointment of an acting Clerk, which passed, and the Acting Clerk was appointed,
who took over and presided over the meeting, which elected a Speaker, who was sworn in by the acting
Clerk. The newly elected Speaker then took over from her, and swore in the newly elected Members of
Parliament, who went on to pass a resolution to conrm the Prime Minister Designate, who then took
oath and it was announced by the Speaker that he had been duly appointed as Prime Minister. The new
Prime Minister announced cabinet ministers, who also had their oaths administered by the Speaker.
The litigation sparked by those events turned on the constitutionality of the swearing in ceremony in
the absence of the input by the Head of State. The court concluded that the Head of State had power
to convene Parliament before the lapse of the constitutional timelines, but he had failed to within the
timelines, and, therefore, his power to call Parliament had expired and was moot, and his oce had
become functus, and, therefore, he lacked constitutional authority, and should have rst applied to
the Supreme Court for directions before purporting to postpone convening of Parliament past the
set timelines. On the swearing in, the court concluded that the same was sound, given that the role of
the Head of State in it was purely ceremonial or administrative, and the Speaker had been elected by
persons who were qualied to participate in her election. Attorney General vs. Latu [2021] WSCA 6
(Perese CJ, Tuatagaloa & Warren JJ) is not binding on us, but it is of persuasive value, being from a
Commonwealth and Common Law court.
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81. In the case before us, the remaining six nominees were picked by the 1st interested party after a rigorous
and competitive process of recruitment, and what remained, thereafter, was their formal appointment
upon their names being forwarded to the 1st respondent. The language of article 166(1)(b) of the
Constitution is that the 1st respondent shall appoint all Judges, apart from the 3rd respondent and
the Deputy Chief Justice, in accordance with recommendation of 1st interested party. That provision
does not give the 1st respondent any discretion over the matter, and his role in the appointment would
be administrative, ceremonial or a formality, going by the pronouncements in Law Society of Kenya vs.
Attorney General & 2 others [2016] eKLR (Mwongo PJ, W Korir, M. Ngugi, Odunga and Onguto JJ)
and Adrian Kamotho Njenga vs Attorney General, Judicial Service Commission & 2 Others (Interested
Parties) [2020] eKLR (Achode PJ, JA Makau & Mwita JJ). Since the 1st respondent has failed to
exercise his constitutional duty to appoint the six remaining Judges since July 2019, which delay is
undoubtedly unreasonable, and despite the court, in Adrian Kamotho Njenga vs. Attorney General,
Judicial Service Commission & 2 Others (Interested Parties) [2020] eKLR (Achode PJ, JA Makau &
Mwita JJ), reminding the 1st respondent of that duty, we are persuaded by Attorney General vs. Latu
[2021] WSCA 6 (Perese CJ, Tuatagaloa & Warren JJ), and nd that the power by the 1st respondent
to appoint the nominees had expired fourteen days after receiving the names from the 1st interested
party, and was moot, and the court could quite properly, in the interests of justice, advancement of the
rule of law and access to justice, and to forestall further violation of the Constitution and sustenance
of an unconstitutional state of aairs, proceed to deem the six nominees as duly appointed as Judges to
the respective Superior Courts, subject to gazettement and swearing in. We believe that that would be
the best way to get out of or unlock the constitutional crisis created by the failure of the 1st respondent
to appoint the Judges in accordance with the law.
Whether the court can order the 3rd respondent and 1st interested party to swear in and assign
to the six nominees, after being deemed as appointed as Judges, duties without them being
appointed and sworn in by the 1st respondent
82. We have been asked by the petitioner to order the 3rd respondent and 1st interested party to swear
in the six nominees. The 1st and 2nd respondents have not taken a position on the issue, while the
3rd respondent and 1st interested party have relied on grounds of opposition to contest the requests
directed to them. They aver that the prayers, if granted, would violate the Constitution by requiring
the 3rd respondent to swear Judges, who, ideally ought to be sworn in by the 1st respondent, asserting
that the Constitution does not envisage a situation where the 1st respondent refuses to swear in Judges,
whereas that is his constitutional duty, which he should discharge.
83. Under article 74 of the Constitution, State ocers, including Judges, are required to take an oath
before assuming oce. The Third Schedule of the Constitution prescribes oaths for President, Deputy
President, Cabinet Secretaries, Members of Parliament, Speaker and Deputy Speaker of both Houses
of Parliament, Chief Justice, Judges of the Supreme Court, Judges of the Court of Appeal and Judges
of the High Court. Article 74 provides as follows:
“ 74. Before assuming a State oce, acting in a State oce, or performing any
functions of a State oce, a person shall take and subscribe the oath of
armation of oce, in the manner and form prescribed by the Third Schedule
or under an Act of Parliament.”
84. Article 141(3)(5) of the Constitution provides that the oaths of the President and Deputy President
are to be taken before the Chief Justice, or in his absence, the Deputy Chief Justice, in a public place;
while article 152(4)(a) provides the oaths for Cabinet Secretaries are to be taken before the President.
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85. In addition to article 141(3)(5) of the Constitution, for the President and Deputy President,
Parliament has passed legislation to govern assumption of oce by the two, being the Assumption
of the Office of the President Act, No. 21 of 2012. Under that Act, swearing in of the President is
provided for under Part IV, where section 12 states that the swearing in ceremony shall be conducted in
a public place, in the capital city, in accordance with Article 141 of the Constitution. The assumption
committee shall cause to be published in the ocial gazette the time, date and venue of the swearing
ceremony, and that day shall be a public holiday. The oath or armation shall be administered to
the President-elect by the Chief Registrar before the 3rd respondent or in the absence of the 3rd
respondent, by the Deputy Chief Justice. The oath must be admitted not earlier than 10.00 AM and
not later than 2.00 PM. The Deputy Chief Justice to assume the duties of the 3rd respondent for this
purpose only where the 3rd respondent is incapacitated. Upon taking or subscribing to the oath or
armation, the President shall sign certicate of inauguration in the presence of the 3rd respondent,
or his absence in the presence of the Deputy Chief Justice.
86. For County Government, the Constitution is silent on the swearing in of Governors, but there is
legislation governing assumption of oce of Governors, being the Assumption of the Office of Governor
Act, No. 4 of 2019, which amended Act No. 17 of 2012, section 11 of which provides for the swearing
in ceremony, in terms of the date, time and place of the swearing, to be done on the rst Thursday after
the 10th day following the declaration of results. It is provided that the swearing in ceremony shall be
conducted in public, before a High Court Judge.
87. For Parliament, the Constitution is silent on the process of the swearing in of Members, save that the
Third Schedule of the Constitution has the form of the oath prescribed for them. There is also no
legislation, by way of an Act of Parliament, to regulate the process. What is in place, for the purpose
of swearing Members of National Assembly, is the parliamentary Standing Orders, currently in the
5th Edition, adopted by the 12th National Assembly on 6th May 2020, Standing Order No. 3, in Part
II, states:
“ On the rst sitting of a new house pursuant to the President’s notication under article
126 (2), the Clerk shall administer the oath or armation of oce provided for in the third
schedule of the Constitution to all members present.”
88. From the above, it is clear that although the Constitution does provide for oaths by State ocers
and prescribe the forms of the oaths, apart from oaths for the 1st respondent, Deputy President and
Cabinet Secretaries, the Constitution does not provide for the person or State ocer before whom the
oath is to be taken and the place of taking the oath.
89. Our focus is on swearing of Judges, and we have very closely and scrupulously perused and scoured
through various legislation governing the Judiciary and Judges in general, including from the
Judicature Act, Cap 8, Laws of Kenya; the Judicial Service Act; the Supreme Court Act, No. 7 of 2011; the
Appellate Jurisdiction Act, Cap 9, Laws of Kenya; the Court of Appeal Administration and Organisation
Act, No. 28 of 2015; the High Court Administration and Organisation Act, No. 27 of 2015; the
Environment and Land Court Act, No. 19 of 2011; the Employment and Labour Relations Court Act,
No. No. 20 of 2011; the Magistrates Courts Act, Cap 10, Laws of Kenya; the Kadhis’ Courts Act, Cap
11 Laws of Kenya; legislation governing tribunals, among others, and we have not come across any
provision in them relating to the time, date and place of swearing in of Judges or other judicial ocers,
nor of the persons who ought to administer the oath and before whom the oaths should be taken.
90. As concerns Commissioners to the 1st interested party, the Judicial Service Act, under section 40(1),
provides for the oath of oce of members of the Commission on rst appointment, to eect that they
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take the oath or make the armation in the form prescribed in the Third Schedule to the Constitution.
It is not indicated who administers the same and before who, and at what place.
91. For most of Chapter Fifteen Commissions and Independent Oces, the respective statutes creating
them provide a fairly clear manner of the swearing of their members, after their appointment by
the 1st respondent and approval by Parliament. The members are identied and recommended for
appointment in a manner prescribed by national legislation, are approved by National Assembly and
appointed by the 1st respondent. The Teachers Service Commission Act, No. 20 of 2012, at section 9,
provides that the chairperson, members and the Secretary shall each make and subscribe before the 3rd
respondent the oath or armation set out in the First Schedule. The National Land Commission Act,
No. 5 of 2011, similarly provides, at section 9, that the chairperson, members and the secretary shall,
before assuming oce, make and subscribe, before the 3rd respondent, to the oath or armation set
out in the Second Schedule.
92. The Commissions under this paragraph provide something more or less similar, save that the swearing
in by the 3rd respondent is not provided for in the body of the statute, but rather in a form in one of
the schedules. The Independent and Electoral Boundaries Commission Act, No. 9 of 2011, at section
9, provides that the chairperson and members shall, before assuming oce take and subscribe to the
oath or armation of oce prescribed in the Second Schedule of the Act. The said Second Schedule
has nothing to do with oaths, but matters relating to conduct of the business of the Commission. It is
the Third Schedule to the Act, which provides for oaths, which, according to the jurat, should be taken
before the 3rd respondent. The Public Service Commission Act, No. 10 of 2017, at section 9, provides
that the members shall before assuming oce take and subscribe to the oath or armation of oce
prescribed in the Second Schedule of the Act, the jurat in the form in the Second Schedule indicates
that the oath and armation should be administered before the 3rd respondent. According to the
Ethics & Anti -Corruption Commission Act, No. 22 of 2011, section 8 provides that the chairperson
and members of the Commission shall take and subscribe to an oath of oce as prescribed under the
First Schedule, and the jurat of the form in the First Schedule indicates that the oath and armation
should be administered before the 3rd respondent.
93. The lack of clarity, in the statutes governing the swearing of Judges and judicial ocers, contrasts
sharply with the very elaborate processes set out in the Advocates Act, Cap 16, Laws of Kenya, on
admission of advocates to the bar. The Advocates Act provides for taking of an oath by advocates upon
admission to the Roll of Advocates. The same is administered before the 3rd respondent, and there
are elaborate provisions on ling of petitions for admission, their hearing by the 3rd respondent, and
thereafter admission to the Roll, swearing before the 3rd respondent, followed by the signing of the
Roll before the Registrar, who thereafter keeps the Roll. The state of aairs, with respect to the law
that ought to regulate swearing of Judges, is intriguing and embarrassing, when looked at against the
practice under the Advocates Act, for admission of advocates, which the courts, and the specically the
3rd respondent, oversees.
94. From our examination of the Constitution and the law, it is clear that the 1st respondent is vested with
power to appoint all the persons recommended for appointment by the 1st interested party. Whereas
the Article 74 requires the taking of oaths by nominee Judges, as State ocers, before assuming oce,
the Constitution does not provide for swearing in of the appointees by or before the 1st respondent,
neither is there any enabling statute which provides for such an exercise. There is nothing in the
Constitution nor legislation which requires that Judges, be sworn in before the 1st respondent. It
would appear to us that the current practice of Judges being sworn in before the 1st respondent is not
founded on any constitutional or statutory law, and we are of the view that it is perhaps founded on
tradition, based on his role as Head of State.
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95. Under section 61(1) of the old Constitution, the President had absolute power to appoint the Chief
Justice; while he appointed puisne Judges and Judges of Court of Appeal, under section 61(2), acting
in accordance with the advice of the Judicial Service Commission established under that Constitution.
Under section 63 of the said Constitution, a Judge could not enter upon the duties of his oce until
he had taken and subscribed to his oath of allegiance and an oath for due execution of his oce, the
form of which was to be prescribed by Parliament.
96. The tradition and practice in Kenya is that Judges are sworn in by the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary
in the presence of the 1st respondent. The swearing in ceremony is preceded by appointment, under
article 166 of the Constitution, by the 1st respondent in accordance with the recommendation of the
1st interested party, as discussed elsewhere, taking the form of a notice in the Kenya Gazette. According
to article 134 2(a) of the Constitution, nomination or appointment of Judges of superior courts is
a power which has been exclusively reserved for the 1st respondent. The act of gazettement by the
1st respondent appears to be how the actual appointment takes place yet there is no legal basis of
gazettement under Kenyan law. There is also no legal basis for the swearing of Judges before the 1st
respondent, for the same is not anchored on any law, the Constitution or legislation, as elaborated
above.
97. With respect to swearing in of the Judges in other jurisdictions, we have looked at the practice in
Nigeria, India and South Africa. In Nigeria, Court of Appeal Judges are sworn in by the Chief Justice of
Nigeria, at the main courtroom of the Supreme Court at Abuja, upon approval of their appointment
following their nomination by the National Judicial Council. In India, the Federal Chief Justice is
sworn in before the President, the Federal Chief Justice swears the Judges of the Supreme Court of
India; while Judges of the Court of Appeal and the High Court make and subscribe to their oaths
before the Governor or Chief Minister of the Federal State where they are posted. In South Africa,
Judges of the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court of Appeal, the High Court and the EF Court,
take their oaths or make armations before the Chief Justice or any other Judge designated by the
Chief Justice. The Chief Justice, if not a Judge already, at the time of appointment, swears or arms
before the Deputy Chief Justice or the next senior Judge of the Constitutional Court. In the United
States of America, Justices of the Supreme Court are sworn in at the Supreme Court before the Chief
Justice or any Judge of the Supreme Court of their own choice.
98. As there is no constitutional and legal framework upon which the 1st respondent is required to have the
nominee Judges sworn before him, and he having failed to follow the tradition or practice referred to
above, to have them formally appointed through gazettement, and thereafter sworn or armed before
him, and we having found that the court could, quite properly, deem them to be duly appointed, we
have not seen any constitutional or legislative provision, and none has been pointed out to us, which
would bar the 3rd respondent from swearing the Judges, for there is no provision anywhere which gives
the 1st respondent a constitutional or legal role or mandate or duty in the swearing of Judges, which
then leaves it open for their swearing in before the Head of the Judiciary. We are fortied, in arriving
at this conclusion, by the fact that the Constitution and various legislation passed to give eect to the
Constitution have already conferred the duty of swearing various State ocers, including members
of Constitutional Commissions, who are appointed by the 1st respondent, on the 3rd respondent.
Should this court nd it appropriate to have the Judges deemed as appointed, and to have them sworn
in by the 3rd respondent, the 3rd respondent would, in that eventuality, be within the powers of that
oce to assign to them duties upon their being sworn in.
99. As regards the functions of the 1st interested party on appointment of Judges, as provided for under
article 172(1)(b) of the Constitution, it is our view that there is no window or residual power left for
the 1st interested party, once it has recommended persons for appointment to the 1st respondent, it
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cannot swear in the persons nominated as Judges, for it has no role in that exercise, neither is it its
function to assign duties to Judges. Article 172(1)(b) of the Constitution states as follows:
“ 172(1)(b) recommend to the President persons for appointment as judges.”
Whether this court can sanction the 2nd respondent for his advice or conduct as requested
100. From the adavit in support of the petition, the contention by the petitioner is that the 2nd
respondent is a member of the 1st interested party, and that he participated in the nomination process
which came up with the list of the nominees, including those who have not been gazetted and
appointed by the 1st respondent, and that he did not raise any question against any of the nominees
at that time, as only one Commissioner, Mr. Macharia Njeru, Advocate, dissented, on grounds that
not enough persons had been nominated for appointment from among private practitioners. It was
contended that having participated in the recruitment process, the 2nd respondent cannot now
turnaround and take a position contrary to that of the 1st interested party, by claiming that the
1st respondent could not be expected to defend and uphold the rule of law and at the same time
be pressured to appoint into oce individuals against whom competent State organs had produced
adverse reports and information on their suitability. It is not in dispute that the 2nd respondent, in
response to the press statement by the 3rd respondent, issued his own press statement, produced in
these proceedings as CN1, in his capacity as the Chief Legal Advisor of the Government, and for the
purposes of this petition, to the 1st respondent.
101. The petitioner submitted that the conduct of the 2nd respondent in this matter was duplicitous and
inconsistent with the Constitution, and that under article 156 (4), the 2nd respondent must promote,
protect and uphold the rule of law and defend public interest, while being guided by the principles
of leadership and integrity under article 73(2) of the Constitution, as elaborated in section 3(2) of the
Leadership and Integrity Act, 2012. It was, therefore, contended that as a member of the 1st interested
party, he sat in the interviews and drew allowances, and did not dissent or question the process in any
way and, therefore, his conduct of going against the decision of 1st interested party was one which the
court has jurisdiction, under article 165 of the Constitution, to declare unconstitutional.
102. In response, the 2nd respondent, through his written submissions, contended that he enjoys statutory
immunity from personal liability for actions made bona des in the course of his duties under the
provisions of section 8(2) of the Office of Attorney General Act, No. 49 of 2012, and argued that it
would be absurd, therefore, for the court to hold that the 2nd respondent has violated the Constitution
for representing the National Executive in court, merely because the views of the National Executive
are at variance with those of the 1st interested party where he sits as a member. It was argued that 1st
interested party is a corporate entity, distinct from its membership, and that the fact that 1st interested
party holds views which are dierent from the ones of the National Executive, on any given matter,
could not bar the 2nd respondent from articulating the views of the National Executive in court. It
was further submitted that the petitioner had not presented any evidence from the Secretary to the
1st interested party on what the 2nd respondent did or did not do in respect of the subject matter
in dispute, and any purported averment thereon was hearsay and inadmissible evidence, in terms of
orders 18 Rule 3(1) of the Civil Procedure Rules.
103. It was further submitted that the petitioner had not adduced any evidence in support of its assertion
that the actions of the 1st respondent had occasioned lack of access to justice, fair trial and fair hearing,
as it was required to do, and that, by seeking to rely on newspaper reports, its claim remained unproven,
for which Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) vs. National Super Alliance
(NASA) Kenya & 6 Others [2017] eKLR (Githinji, Visram, Nambuye, J. Mohammed & Odek, JJA)
was cited in support.
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104. On the allegations of breach of the provisions of Chapter Six of the Constitution, it was submitted that
the mandate of enforcing the said Chapter was conferred, by articles 75(2) and 79 of the Constitution
and section 11 of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission Act, No. 22 of 2011, on the Ethics
and Anti-Corruption Commission, and that this court should reject the invitation by the petitioner
to usurp and undermine the functions of the said Commission. James Gacheru Kariuki & 69 others vs.
William Kabogo Gitau & 104 others [2019] eKLR (Meoli J) was cited, to support the contention that
the petitioner should have availed itself of the procedure in section 42 of the Leadership and Integrity
Act, No. 19 of 2012; and Mumo Matemu vs. Trusted Society of Human Rights Alliance & 5 others
[2014] eKLR (Mutunga, CJ & P, Rawal, DCJ &VP, Tunoi, Ibrahim, Ojwang & Ndungu, SCJJ), for
the argument that the court cannot prescribe for the other branches of Government the manner of
enforcement of Chapter Six of the Constitution, where the function is vested elsewhere under the
constitutional design.
105. It was nally submitted that the claim by the petitioner was not one for enforcement of any right
under the Bill of Rights charter, and that this court could not issue a declaration to enforce another
declaratory order made in Adrian Kamotho Njenga vs. Attorney General, Judicial Service Commission
& 2 Others (Interested Parties) [2020] eKLR (Achode PJ, JA Makau & Mwita JJ).
106. The other parties did not make any submissions on the issues related to the 2nd respondent, and,
therefore, we are called upon to make a determination whether the 2nd respondent is in beach of the
provision of Chapter Six of the Constitution and the provisions of the Leadership and Integrity Act,
and whether the 2nd respondent is in violation of the said Act, on the basis of the position he had taken
on the issue in dispute, while he is a Commissioner of the 1st interested party, which had recommended
and forwarded the names of the nominee Judges to the 1st respondent for appointment.
107. From the pleadings before us, the following facts are not disputed: that the 2nd respondent is a member
of the 1st interested party, by virtue of the provisions of article 171 (2)(e) of the Constitution, having
been appointed as the Attorney General under the provisions of article 156(2), as the Principal Legal
Advisor of the Government, and to represent the National Government in court or in any other
legal proceedings to which the National Government is a party, other than criminal proceedings; that
the 2nd respondent sat and participated in the interviews which led to the recommendation by the
1st interested party to the 1st respondent to appoint the 41 nominees, all who were subsequently
appointed during the pendency of this petition, save for the surviving six; and that the 2nd respondent
issued a press statement in response to the statement by the 3rd respondent on the position of the 1st
interested party as regards the then pending appointment.
108. It is this action by the 2nd respondent which is now being questioned by the petitioner, who has taken
the view that in going against the position of the 1st interested party, wherein he is a member, the
2nd respondent violated the provisions of Chapters Six and Ten of the Constitution and the Integrity
and Leadership Act. We are, therefore, called upon to determine whether this court has jurisdiction to
make a determination thereon in view of the provisions of articles 79 of the Constitution and section
42 of the Leadership and Integrity Act.
109. This issue of jurisdiction was addressed in Trusted Society of Human Rights Alliance vs. Attorney
General & 2 others [2012] eKLR (J. Ngugi, M. Ngugi & Odunga JJ), where it was said that the court
has the general jurisdiction to enforce Chapter Six of the Constitution, subject to article 165, but such
jurisdiction is to be exercised subject to existing and, especially, derivative statute. The court further
stated that there is no requirement that the behaviour attributed in the conduct in question has to
rise to the threshold of criminality. In Mohamed Abdi Olge vs. Abdullahi Diriye & 3 Others [2017]
eKLR (Mativo J), the court said that there was no clear provision in the Constitution, the Ethics and
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Anti-Corruption Act and the Leadership and Integrity Act which ousts the jurisdiction of the court
to make enquiry or determine issues relating to leadership and integrity. In William Kabogo Gitau
vs. Ferdinand Ndungu Waititu [2016] eKLR (Onguto J), it was held that the court has jurisdiction
make such enquiries or determinations, but the petitioner should rst exhaust the other mechanisms
or alternative processes provided for under the Constitution and legislation. In Benson Riitho Mureithi
vs. JW Wakhungu & 2 Others [2014] eKLR (M. Ngugi J), the court took the view that the court has
jurisdiction to address the issues, as there was, in the opinion of the court, no other mechanism in law
for dealing with them.
110. From the authorities stated herein, we are persuaded and hold that Chapter Six of the Constitution
does not limit or oust the jurisdiction of the High Court on matters of integrity and suitability to
hold public oce, and that the role of Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission is complementary
to that of the court, and, therefore, nd that this court has jurisdiction to inquire and determine
whether the 2nd respondent, by his actions stated hereinabove violated the provisions of Chapter Six
of the Constitution. We must also add that there are criminal, civil and ethical integrity issues, and that
whereas the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has the sole mandate to inquire into the three
issues, the court, where evidence is produced, of violation of ethical integrity may, in the absence of any
inquiry by Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and or other relevant bodies, proceed to make a
declaration thereon.
111. From the pleadings and the provisions of Chapter Six and Chapter Ten of the Constitution, in
exercising his powers as a State ocer, the 2nd respondent is expected to abide by the principles set out
in Article 73 of the Constitution. It was said, in International Centre for Policy and Conflict & 5 others
vs. Attorney General & 5 others [2013] eKLR (Mbogholi-Msagha, Kimaru, Omondi, Nyamweya &
Kimondo JJ), with regard to conduct of State ocers, that the power State ocers exercise is a public
trust, and in exercising that power they are required to demonstrate respect for the people of Kenya,
make decisions objectively and impartially, refuse to be inuenced by favouritism or corruption, serve
selessly and be accountable for their actions. Quoting from Black’s Law Dictionary (2nd Edition), the
court in Trusted Society of Human Rights Alliance vs The Attorney General and Others [2012] eKLR
(J. Ngugi, M. Ngugi & Odunga JJ), dened integrity, as used in statutes prescribing qualications for
public ocers, among others, to mean soundness of moral principle and character, as shown by one
person dealing with others, delity and honesty in discharge of trust, and that it is synonymous with
probity, honesty and uprightness.
112. In addition, under article 156(6), the 2nd respondent is required to promote, protect and uphold
the rule of law and defend public interest. The powers of the 2nd respondent may be exercised in
person or by subordinate ocers acting in accordance with general or special instructions, according
to article 156(7) of the Constitution and section 14(1) of the Oce of the Attorney General Act.
The 2nd respondent, according to section 6(1) of the Office of the Attorney General Act, is the titular
head of the bar, and takes precedence in all matters in courts whenever he appears. Under section 20
of the Advocates Act, the 2nd respondent takes precedence over all the Advocates in Kenya, in terms
of seniority at the bar. That, no doubt, places him in a pole position in leadership within the legal
profession, making him a gure that members of the legal profession and the general public look up
to, with respect to matters pertaining to the legal profession, the judicial process and generally.
113. We are in agreement with the principles set out above, and add that we are only called to examine
the conduct of the 2nd respondent based upon the material presented before us, which is his press
statement in answer to the 3rd respondent, the Chair of the 1st interested party, wherein he was and
is a member. The issue in dispute is not the representation of the National Executive in court by
the 2nd respondent. We, however, agree with his submissions that the petitioner did not provide any
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evidence on how he, the 2nd respondent, voted in respect of the proposed names and his advice to
the 1st respondent on the same, if any. It was the duty of the petitioner to prove to court how the
2nd respondent voted at the meetings of the 1st interested party with respect to the appointments in
question, and the nature of the advice which he gave to the 1st respondent thereafter, and whether
or not the 1st respondent took into account the said advice. It was for the petitioner to prove, on a
balance of probability, that the 1st respondent declined to exercise his constitutional mandate on the
said appointment on the advice of the 2nd respondent, which it failed to do.
114. The only evidence on record, which is conrmed, through the press statement by the 2nd respondent,
is that the 1st respondent acted upon advice of competent State organs, indicated to have had some
undisclosed adverse reports on the six nominees, which reports were not tabled before the 1st interested
party as at the time when the nominees were interviewed and recommended for appointment,
according to the 3rd respondent.
115. We are, therefore, called upon to analyse the conduct of the 2nd respondent, based on the press
statement which he issued in response to the 3rd respondent, and to weigh the same against what
was expected of him as a State ocer. It is common ground that the 2nd respondent took part in the
interviews that led to the recommendation of the nominees herein for appointment, and that he is
a member of the 1st interested party, and, therefore, was bound by the corporate decision of the 1st
interested party, as represented by the 3rd respondent.
116. Having taken part in the said interviews, we take the view that the 2nd respondent was, therefore,
conicted, and could not express any view thereafter, contrary to that of the 1st interested party, as
presented by the 3rd respondent. If the Executive had any contrary view, as stated in the said press
statement, then that position should have been expressed and articulated by any other responsible State
ocer, that is other than the 2nd respondent. In taking a contrary view in public, the 2nd respondent
acted in conict of interest, and in the process violated the provisions of the Leadership and Integrity
Act. In taking on the 3rd respondent in public, and answering him in the manner stated in the said
press statement, we nd and hold that the 2nd respondent brought the oces of the 2nd and 3rd
respondents and the 1st interested party into disrepute, and, to that extent, his conduct fell short of
the national values in Chapter Ten and the integrity and leadership provisions of the Constitution, as
set out in Article 73.
117. On whether the 2nd respondent should be declared incompetent and unt to hold oce, we take
the view that article 156 of the Constitution provides for the appointment, functions and removal of
the 2nd respondent from oce. These provisions are further contained in the Oce of the Attorney
General Act, which should be read together with the provisions of article 79 of the Constitution,
section 11 of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission Act and section 4 of the Leadership and
Integrity Act, all of which provide for lodging of complaints against State ocers, and, in our view,
the petitioner should follow the said procedures as regards the conduct of the 2nd respondent in this
matter.
118. In this we nd support in Githu Muigai & Another vs. Law Society of Kenya & Another [2015] eKLR
(W. Korir, M. Ngugi & Odunga JJ), where the Law Society of Kenya, had made a decision to censure
the then occupant of the oce of the 2nd respondent, for conduct which was considered by the Society
to be dishonourable, and, the court, while declining to allow the censure, and pointing out the proper
course of action in the circumstances, stated:
“ 69. As a State Ocer appointed, in accordance with the Constitution, by the
President with the approval of the National Assembly, the route that the
respondents had initially taken - lodging a petition in Parliament and ling a
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petition before the Court with regard to the alleged mishandling of the case in
the Queen’s Bench Division in the United Kingdom, was the proper way for
the respondents to exercise their statutory power. Were they also of the view
that the petitioner had violated the Constitution through acts of omission
or commission, they also had the option to also institute legal proceedings
pursuant to the provisions of Article 258 (1). Further, in accordance with the
provisions of Chapter 6 of the Constitution on Leadership and Integrity, they
had the further option of pursuing the alleged misconduct of the petitioner
through the provisions of the Leadership and Integrity Act. These are all lawful
processes, provided in law and underpinned by the Constitution, open to the
respondents.”
119. Based on the matters stated above, and in the absence of any evidence that the petitioner has taken that
route, and is without remedy, we decline to make any declaration on this issue, as the Constitution has
put in place an elaborate procedure relating to questioning the conduct of and removal from oce of
members of the Executive, of which the 2nd respondent is one.
Who should bear costs of the petition?
120. The petitioner submitted that costs of the matter should be paid by the 1st and 2nd respondents,
personally.
121. The general rule is set out in section 27 of the Civil Procedure Act, Cap 21, Laws of Kenya, which states
as follows:
“ Subject to such conditions and limitations as may be prescribed, and to the provisions of
any law for the time being in force, the costs of and incidental to all suits shall be in the
discretion of the court or judge, and the court or judge shall have full power to determine
by whom and out of what property and to what extent such costs are to be paid, and to give
all necessary directions for the purposes aforesaid; and the fact that the court or judge has
no jurisdiction to try the suit shall be no bar to the exercise of those powers: Provided that
the costs of any action, cause or other matter or issue shall follow the event unless the court
or judge shall for good reason otherwise order.”
122. As regards public interest litigation, the jurisprudence in Kenya is still developing, but the general
principle, so far, is that there are special circumstances that may arise to justify a departure from the
traditional “loser pays” cost rule, taking into account the principles of access to justice and the spirit of
article 3(c) of the Constitution, which provides that “Every person has an obligation to respect uphold
and defend this Constitution.”
123. Further, article 258(1)(2) of the Constitution recognizes that a person can initiate legal proceedings
in the interest of the public, as was stated in the case of John Harun Mwau and 3 Others vs. Attorney
General & 2 Others [2012] eKLR (Lenaola, M. Ngigi & Majanja JJ), where the court stated:
“ 179. The intent of articles 22 and 23 of the Constitution is that persons should
have free and unhindered access to this court for the enforcement of their
fundamental rights and freedoms. Similarly, Article 258 allows any person
to institute proceedings claiming the Constitution has been violated or is
threatened. The imposition of costs would constitute a deterrent and would
have a chilling eect on the enforcement of the Bill of Rights.
kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/226691/ 42
180. In matters concerning public interest litigation, a litigant who has brought
proceedings to advance a legitimate public interest and contributed to a proper
understanding of the law in question without private gain should not be
deterred from adopting a course that is benecial to the public for fear of costs
being imposed. Costs should therefore not be imposed on a party who has
brought a case against the state but lost. Equally, there is no reason why the
state should not be ordered to pay costs to a successful litigant. The court
also retains its jurisdiction to impose costs as a sanction where the matter is
frivolous, vexatious or an abuse of the court process.”
124. We are now called upon to ask ourselves, based on the history of this litigation, what order as to
costs will adequately address public benet concerns inherent in the circumstances of this case. We are
satised that this was a public interest litigation, wherein the petitioner, who has partially succeeded,
had no private interest in the outcome of the same, save that it was for the benet of the public,
and to advance the right to access to justice, which was the purpose for which 1st interested party
recommended the nominees herein for appointment to the respective courts.
125. In determining the issue of costs, the court, in Republic vs. Independent Electoral and Boundaries
Commission & Others ex parte Alinoor Derow Abdullahi & Others [2017] eKLR (Odunga J) stated
that:
“ 17. … the Court is entitled to look at inter alia the conduct of the parties, the
subject of litigation, the circumstances which led to the institution of the
legal proceedings, the events which eventually led to their termination, the
stage at which the proceedings were terminated, the manner in which they
were terminated, the relationship between the parties and the need to promote
reconciliation amongst the disputing parties pursuant to article 159(2)(c) of
the Constitution. In other words, the court may not only consider the conduct
of the party in the actual litigation, but the matters which led up to litigation,
the eventual termination thereof and the likely consequences of the order for
costs. See Hussein Janmohamed & Sons vs. Twentsche Overseas Trading Co. Ltd
[1967] EA 287 and Mullah (12thEdn) P. 150.”
126. On the history of this litigation, as stated herein above, this is not the rst time the issues of
appointment of persons nominated as Judges recommended by the 1st interested party has been
litigated upon. This court has previously made similar pronouncements on the issue, in the following
cases:
1) Law Society of Kenya vs. Attorney General & 2 others [2016] eKLR (Mwongo PJ, W Korir,
M. Ngugi, Odunga and Onguto JJ), where the 1st respondent was found to have had violated
the Constitution by purporting to “process,” “approve,” or “disapprove” the nominees to be
appointed, and went ahead to hold that the period taken in gazetting, appointing and swearing
in the Judge nominees was unreasonable;
2) Adrian Kamotho Njenga vs Attorney General, Judicial Service Commission & 2 Others
(Interested Parties) [2020] eKLR (Achode PJ, JA Makau & Mwita JJ), where a specic clear
determination was made that the 1st respondent was bound to make the appointments based
on the recommendations made by the 1st interested party and that he had violated the
Constitution and the Judicial Service Commission Act by failing to appoint the Judges; and
kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/226691/ 43
3) David Kariuki Ngari & another vs. Judicial Service Commission & another; Law Society of
Kenya & 2 others (Interested Parties) [2020] eKLR (Achode PJ, Makau & Mwita JJ), where
it was stated that judges shall be appointed by the 1st respondent in accordance with the
recommendations of the 1st interested party, which is the body tasked with the mandate to
determine suitability and the appropriate constitutional and statutory declaration for persons
to be appointed as judges, and that the Constitution and the law contemplate no other role
for the 1st respondent, any other authority or body in determining the persons to appoint or
not to appoint as Judge.
127. Having taken into account the conduct of the 1st respondent herein, and having once again found
that the same violated the Constitution, the Judicial Service Act, and the rule of law generally, by not
gazetting, appointing and swearing in all the nominees as recommended by the 1st interested party,
as was stated in David Ndii & others vs. Attorney General & others (2021) eKLR (J. Ngugi, Odunga,
Ngaah, Mwita & Matheka JJ) and Independent Electoral & Boundaries Commission & 4 others vs.
David Ndii & 82 others; Kenya Human Rights Commission & 4 others (Amicus Curiae) [2021] eKLR
(Musinga P, Nambuye, Okwengu, Kiage, Gatembu, Sichale & Tuiyott JJA), we are persuaded that the
Constitution is not helpless and provides remedies and sanctions against the 1st respondent, and in
this matter we have come to the conclusion that the 1st respondent ought to pay costs of this petition
to the petitioner. The 1st respondent was not sued in person; consequently, the costs shall not be met
personally by him.
128. In this holding, we nd support in KM & 9 others vs. Attorney General & 7 others [2020] eKLR (A.
Omollo J), where on costs, the court said:
“ 174. The petitioners also prayed to be awarded costs of the petition. The 1st –
6th respondents also submitted that the petition should be dismissed with
costs. The practice of the courts has been not to award costs in constitutional
petitions. However, before costs are waived a basis must be laid for the same.
The history of this petition reveals non-action by the Respondents in spite of
several complaints received from the petitioners and failing to act on their own
(respondents) recommendations to remedy the environment. Therefore, their
inaction having led to the ling of this suit, it is my considered view and I so
hold that the petitioners are entitled to costs of the petition.”
129. As regards the 2nd respondent, we have noted that he is not the appointing authority, and his role
therein is very limited, and he should, therefore, not be penalized personally with costs for an omission
or commission on the part of the 1st respondent. However, he remains the Chief Advisor to the
Government, and, by extension, the 1st respondent, and naturally his oce has to bear the burden of
shouldering costs in litigation of this kind.
Disposition
130. The principal orders sought in the petition are seven: two prohibitions, two mandamus and three
declarations. The rst prohibition is directed against the 1st respondent, to have him barred from
appointing only a section of the persons nominated for appointment; while the second seeks to stop
the 3rd respondent and the 1st interested party from assigning duties to Judges appointed by the
1st respondent from a partial list. The rst mandamus order is for compelling the 1st respondent
to appoint all the persons recommended by the 1st interested party for appointment by the 1st
respondent, within seven days. The second mandamus order is pegged on a declaration, should the
1st respondent fail to make the appointments, that the court deems the persons recommended as duly
kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/226691/ 44
appointed as Judges to the respective Superior Courts, and it seeks to have the 3rd respondent and the
1st interested party swear the nominated Judges into oce. The second declaration is with respect to
the insistence by the 1st respondent to make partial appointments, and the court is asked to nd the
same as unlawful, unconstitutional and an aront to the independence of the Judiciary and the 1st
interested party. The last declaration is with respect to nding the 2nd respondent incompetent and
unt to hold oce.
131. Let us start with the prohibitory orders. According to Halsbury’s Laws of England, 4th Edition Vol
1 at Pg 37, paragraph 128, prohibition is dened as an order from the High Court, directed to an
inferior tribunal or body, which forbids that tribunal or body from continuing proceedings in excess
of its jurisdiction or in contravention of the laws of the land. It lies, not only for excess of jurisdiction
or absence of it, but also for departure from the rules of natural justice, and it does not lie to correct
the course, practice or procedure of an inferior tribunal or a wrong decision on the merits of the
proceedings. We take judicial notice of the fact that the events that the petitioner seeks to stop, through
these two prayers, are now past, and eectively the prayers have been overtaken by the said events.
Prohibition is futuristic, the orders do not lie in the circumstances of this case, for the court does not
issue orders in vain.
132. Mandamus is an equitable remedy that serves to compel a public authority to perform its public legal
duty, and it controls procedural delays. It can only issue where it is clear that there is wilful or implied or
unreasonable delay. Factors taken into account, for grant of the order, were identied in Coalition for
Reforms and Democracy (CORD) vs. Attorney General; International Institute for Legislative Affairs
& another (Interested Parties) [2019] eKLR (Nyamweya, Okwany & Mativo JJ). It was stated that there
must be a public legal duty to act, the duty must be owed to the applicants and there must exist a
clear right to the performance of that duty. It was said that the applicants must satisfy all conditions
precedent, and there must have been prior demand of performance, reasonable time given to comply
unless there was outright refusal, or an express refusal or implied refusal through unreasonable delay.
The other considerations would be that no other adequate remedy is available to the applicants, the
order sought is of a practical value, no equitable bar to the relief exists and that balance of convenience
favours grant of mandamus.
133. The court, in Adrian Kamotho Njenga vs Attorney General, Judicial Service Commission & 2 Others
(Interested Parties) [2020] eKLR (Achode PJ, JA Makau & Mwita JJ), having found that the 1st
respondent to be in breach of the Constitution and the Judicial Service Act, the mandamus order would
be available. There obviously is a constitutional duty cast on the 1st respondent, under article 166(1),
to appoint Judges, once their names are forwarded to him by the 1st interested party. That duty is owed
to Kenyans in general, for the appointments in question are meant for the benet of the people, the
petitioner included. The Constitution commands the 1st respondent to make the appointments upon
receiving the names, and, as repeatedly said here above, there is no discretion on his part to tinker with
the list of names, hence the question about prior demand should not arise. On delay, it was said, in
Law Society of Kenya vs Attorney General & 2 others [2016] eKLR (Mwongo PJ, W Korir, M. Ngugi,
Odunga and Onguto JJ), that such appointments ought to be made within fourteen days upon receipt
of the names. The names in question were delivered in 2019, and delay has become unreasonable, as was
found and held to be so in Adrian Kamotho Njenga vs Attorney General, Judicial Service Commission
& 2 Others (Interested Parties) [2020] eKLR (Achode PJ, JA Makau & Mwita JJ). Indeed, there was
express refusal to appoint, on grounds that the six remaining nominees had integrity questions, yet
in Adrian Kamotho Njenga vs Attorney General, Judicial Service Commission & 2 Others (Interested
Parties) [2020] eKLR (Achode PJ, JA Makau & Mwita JJ) and Law Society of Kenya vs. Attorney
General & 2 others [2016] eKLR (Mwongo PJ, W Korir, M. Ngugi, Odunga and Onguto JJ), the courts
had said that those were issues that the 1st respondent could not raise after the 1st interested party
kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/226691/ 45
had delivered its list. The order is of value, for the Kenyan Judiciary would have a fuller establishment.
There is nothing to suggest that there is an equitable bar to the relief, and, on a balance, mandamus
should issue. The court can make the mandamus order sought, or issue any other order that it nds
suitable in the circumstances.
134. On the declarations sought, the court has comprehensively dwelt on their substance in the main body
of this judgment, given that these were the most contested aspects of the litigation. We are mindful of
the fact that this is an enforcement suit, where the court ought not to be making declaratory orders
to enforce other declarations. We have found and held, above, that this is a proper case for deeming
the nominated Judges duly appointed, should the 1st respondent persist in not acting according to the
dictates of the Constitution and the orders made earlier by the court in Adrian Kamotho Njenga vs
Attorney General, Judicial Service Commission & 2 Others (Interested Parties) [2020] eKLR (Achode
PJ, JA Makau & Mwita JJ) and Law Society of Kenya vs. Attorney General & 2 others [2016] eKLR
(Mwongo PJ, W Korir, M. Ngugi, Odunga and Onguto JJ), guided by the Samoan case of Attorney
General vs. Latu [2021] WSCA 6. (Perese CJ, Tuatagaloa & Warren JJ). The declaration sought with
respect to the appointment of a section of the nominees, on grounds that it would be unlawful and
constitutional, is also an order that we need not make given the emphatic pronouncement in Law
Society of Kenya vs. Attorney General & 2 others [2016] eKLR (Mwongo PJ, W Korir, M. Ngugi,
Odunga and Onguto JJ). Declaration of the 2nd respondent as unt to hold oce has been dealt with
comprehensively above, and there would be no need to revisit it.
135. In the event a mandamus order, or any of those sought in the petition, would not be appropriate as
a remedy, this court can prescribe an appropriate relief for the breach or violation established. It was
stated, in Law Society of Kenya vs. Attorney General & another vs. Mohamed Abdullahi Warsame &
another (Interested Parties) [2019] eKLR (Mwita J), that the court, as the custodian and protector
of the Constitution and the rule of law, must prescribe a remedy, following its determination of the
matter. EWA & 2 others vs. Director of Immigration and Registration of Persons & another [2018]
eKLR (Mativo J), dened appropriate relief as any necessary relief that may be required to secure the
protection and enforcement of constitutional rights. The court put it in the following terms:
“ … appropriate relief will in essence be relief that is required to protect and enforce the
Constitution. depending on the circumstances of each particular case, the relief may be
a declaration of rights, an interdict, a mandamus, or such other relief as may be required
to ensure that the rights enshrined in the Constitution are protected and enforced. If it is
necessary to do so, the court may even have to fashion new remedies to secure the protection
and enforcement of these all-important rights … The courts have a particular responsibility
in this regard and are obliged to forge new tools and shape innovative remedies, if need be,
to achieve this goal.”
136. The order that commends itself to us to make, in the circumstances, is as follows:
a) That an order of mandamus is hereby issued directing the 1st respondent to appoint the
remaining six nominees as Judges to their respective courts, within the next fourteen days;
b) That upon the lapse of the fourteen days, in (a), above, without the 1st respondent having
made the appointments, it shall be presumed that his power to make them has expired and his
oce become functus, so far as the appointments are concerned, and the six nominees shall be
deemed duly appointed, eective from the date of default, as Judges of the Superior Courts
for which they were recommended;
kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/226691/ 46
c) That subsequent to their being deemed appointed, under (b), above, the 3rd respondent, in
conjunction with the 1st interested party, shall be at liberty to take all necessary steps to swear
the six Judges; and
d) That the costs of the petition to be paid to the petitioner by the 1st and 2nd respondents.
137. We so order.
DATED, SIGNED AND DELIVERED IN OPEN COURT AT NAIROBI THIS 21ST DAY OF
OCTOBER, 2021
G. DULU
JUDGE
J. WAKIAGA
JUDGE
W. MUSYOKA
JUDGE
In the presence of: -
...................for the petitioner
...................for the respondent
Court Assistant......................
kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/226691/ 47
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