Young attorney Melissa Ng’ania rose to prominence in Kenya’s legal scene as a result of her participation in the Supreme Court’s hearings on petitions linked to the presidential election. During a recent presidential election petition hearing, Melissa Ng’ania was among the attorneys who defended President Ruto.
Ng’ania has been shortlisted among the candidates being interviewed for a slot to become a High Court Judge.
Alexander Muteti (Senior Assistant to the DPP)and Dorcas Oduor(Secretary, Public Prosecutions and the Principal Deputy to the Director of Public Prosecutions), two of the nation’s top prosecutors, are both on the shortlist for the position.
Interviews for 104 candidates who have been shortlisted to fill 20 openings in the Office of Judge of the High Court are about to start, according to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
Interviews for shortlisted candidates will take place from October 3 to November 3, 2022, at the JSC Office Boardroom, Reinsurance Plaza, Taifa Road, Nairobi, according to JSC Secretary Anne Amadi’s announcement issued yesterday.
“Having reviewed the complaints lodged and responses by the candidates, the JSC resolved that affected candidates be accorded a fair hearing and allowed to provide better particulars and clarification as required by the Commission,” Amadi said.
Meet Melissa Ng’ania, The Young Advocate Who Helped Ruto Win Supreme Court Case
Amadi further stated that the JSC decided to carry out stakeholder engagement to gather the views of stakeholders on recruitment and selection to enhance the process. To fulfil the constitutional mandate for public participation in appointment to state posts.
Law professor Dr Sifuna Nixon Wanyama, Dr Githiru Freda Mugambi, Dr Ogama Damaris Were, and Winfred Osimbo Lichuma, as well as other law scholars, both practising and non-practising lawyers, are among the other shortlisted candidates. Additionally, Prof. Wanyama had interviewed with the JSC panel for the job of Court of Appeal Judge in July but had not been selected.
Along with Wendy Kagendo and Francis Andayi from the criminal division, the magistrates who are vying for advancement are Douglas Ogoti, Elizabeth Juma, and Lawrence Mugambi from the anti-corruption court. The head of the Kenya Magistrates and Judges Association, Mr Derrick Kuto, is one of the other magistrates considering a promotion.
Melissa Ngánia has experience working for some of Kenya’s most famous law companies, including Nelson Havi’s Havi and Company Advocates before she teamed up with Steve Wairegi to form Wairegi and Company Associates. Mellisa counsels young people to make the best decisions possible when choosing their career paths.
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