Two judges of the Court of Appeal and a High Court judge are frontrunners for the top judiciary job in Kenya.
According to available information, CA Judges Alnashir Vishram and David Maraga and, High Court Judge Msagha Mbhogoli, are topping the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) list of those set to replace former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga.
Others shortlisted to replace Justice Mutunga include Supreme Court Judge Smokin Wanjala, former Law Society of Kenya boss Nzamba Gitonga and Lady Justice Roselyn Nambuye.
Formerly an ear pin-donning legal practitioner, Justice Mutunga became CJ in 2011 after a tough screening process.
In 2013 he presided over the Supreme Court coram that heard the election petition filed by the Coalition for Reform and Democracy (CORD) of Raila Amollo Odinga against the Jubilee coalition of Uhuru Kenyatta, winner of the Kenyan 2013 presidential elections.