Muteti defends record as he interviews for judge » Capital News
NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 3 — Senior Director in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) Alexander Muteti has denied claims that he is an alcoholic terming a memorandum concerning the allegation as malicious.
Muteti responded to the accusation on Wednesday while appearing before an 11-member panel recruiting High Court judges.
He told the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) chaired by Chief Justice Martha Koome that he had long quit alcohol.
“I used to take alcohol but I am surprised my ground friend (the petitioner) I stopped taking alcohol a year ago,” Muteti told the panel.
“He (the petitioner) himself takes alcohol as a matter of public record,” the senior prosecutor added.
Muteti also pleaded with the JSC to protect him from discrimination on account of his official functions explaining that decisions by the ODPP are bound to infuriate accused persons.
“ODPP decisions cause pain. If we pursue this route, we may never hire prosecutors,” he remarked.
Muteti was among six candidates lined up to appear before the JSC on Wednesday as the Commission commenced interviews to hire twenty additional High Court judges.
Others who were scheduled to make appearances included. Chief Magistrates Alex Ithuku and Alfred Gethi.
Also lined up were lawyers Adelaide Amimo, Agnes Njoroge and Chepngetich Soi.
JSC outlined a 7-point selection criteria as interviews to recruit judges to the High Court commenced.
Key among the attributes the 11-member panel will examine while processing 100 candidates shortlisted for interviews include professional competence, communication skills, integrity, fairness, good judgment, and legal experience.
The panel will also assess the candidates’ commitment to the public and community, particularly efforts to advance access to justice.
In a note circulated on Wednesday, JSC noted candidates must demonstrate a profound grasp of substantive and procedural law, intellectual capacity, legal judgment, and diligence.
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