Search for Chief Justice: Senior Counsel Fred Ngatia Shrugs Off Links to President Uhuru

Senior Counsel Fred Ngatia, who is gunning for the Chief Justice position, has urged the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) not to discriminate against him based on his links to President Kenyatta.

Ngatia, 64, appeared before the commission on Tuesday for an interview for the top position.

The experienced attorney took the opportunity to defend himself against claims that his close ties to the president would comprise judicial independence if he is appointed as the next Chief Justice.

Ngatia represented President Kenyatta in two election petitions filed at the Supreme Court in 2013 and 2017.

“Do not discriminate against me because of any client I have acted for. I have acted for the high, for the poor and those in terminal conditions, judge me across the board. The President like any other Kenyan was in need of legal representation, I am not ashamed of working for him,” Ngatia told the panel.

He added: “Despite acting for the president-elect, after it was over, I went to private practice and the relationship ended. No one will see me influenced by the President.”

If appointed to the position, Ngatia who has over 40 years of legal experience, said he would advocate for cases to be expedited and resolved within six months of filing.

“I would wish to see a criminal case started and concluded in 6 months,” he added.

He also said he would abolish the use of cash at the registry, and digitize files to stop the affront to justice caused by missing files.

Ngatia began his career as a State Counsel at the Attorney-General’s office in 1980, the same year he was admitted to the bar.

He holds a Bachelor of Law from the University of Nairobi, and a Master of Law from the London School of Economics.

In 1996, he founded Ngatia and Associates, a law firm in which he is still the sole proprietor to date.