Nominated Senator Raphael Chimera has demanded answers from the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) over the abrupt cancellation of 171 job vacancies, initially advertised in November 2024. The move, officially attributed to financial constraints, has sparked public outcry and concern over transparency in the commission’s hiring processes.
In a petition to the Senate Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights, Chimera questioned the rationale behind advertising positions without first assessing the availability of funds. He termed the action as misleading and unfair to many hopeful applicants who had submitted their applications in good faith.
Among the cancelled positions were 60 vacancies for legal researchers, 25 diploma internships in office administration, and 12 graduate internships in ICT. Other internships in critical sectors such as supply chain management, records management, engineering, and architecture were also withdrawn.
“This is to notify the general public and the applicants that owing to fiscal constraints currently affecting the country, the Judicial Service Commission has cancelled the advertisements,” read a public notice issued by the JSC on March 4, 2025.
Senator Chimera expressed particular concern about the negative impact the cancellation would have on the Judiciary’s efficiency, especially given the acute shortage of legal researchers. He urged the Senate Committee to probe the JSC’s planning process and seek clarity on whether these positions will be re-advertised once financial conditions improve.
The issue highlights broader funding challenges faced by the Judiciary. Chief Justice Martha Koome, during the launch of the State of the Judiciary and Administration of Justice Report 2023-2024, lamented chronic underfunding, stating that the Judiciary’s budget has been slashed by nearly 50 percent over the past three financial years. Despite achieving a 99 percent case clearance rate, Koome said limited resources were hampering the delivery of justice.
Chimera’s petition calls for transparency and accountability, urging the JSC to provide clear communication on its recruitment plans. He also wants the Senate to ensure that affected applicants are not left in the dark and that future hiring processes reflect the commission’s actual financial capacity.
