NAIROBI -- The Law Society of Kenya says Chief Justice Evan Gicheru should be removed from his high court post in advance of proposed judicial reforms.

Law Society of Kenya chairman Okongo Omogeni said his group will take part in mass protests calling for Gicheru's immediate removal as well as improved transparency in Kenya's legal system, The Nation reported Friday.

Omogeni's demands have been echoed by other officials such as Kenya National Commission on Human Rights chief Florence Jaoko and International Commission of Jurists members George Kegoro and Wilfred Nderitu.

"The conduct of the chief justice, who is the chairman of the Judicial Service Commission in initiating judicial appointments that are shrouded in secrecy has made the judiciary the subject of public ridicule and called into question his own leadership of the institution," the officials said.

The Nation said in addition to Gicheru's removal and increased judicial transparency, the officials are seeking expanded Judicial Service Comission membership through an act of parliament.

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