Fifteen distinguished lawyers, including Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) Chairman Issack Hassan and Senior Counsel Katwa Kigen, have been nominated to serve as judges in Kenya’s Court of Appeal. The announcement follows a rigorous evaluation process conducted by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), which assessed candidates on criteria such as professional competence, integrity, fairness, and commitment to public service.
The JSC’s evaluation also emphasized key qualities such as legal experience, written and oral communication skills, and a deep commitment to the rule of law and constitutionalism. According to JSC Chairperson and Chief Justice Martha Koome, the nominations reflect a balanced approach, guided by constitutional principles of merit, gender parity, and regional inclusion.
The full list of nominees includes esteemed legal professionals, such as Judges Chacha Mwita, Hedwig Ong’udi, Mathews Nderi, Mumo Ndolo, Lucy Njuguna, Samson Okongo, Rachel Ngetich, Radido Okiyo, Brown Kairaria, Paul Lilan, Munyao Sila, Johnson Okello, and Byram Ongaya.
The nominees will now have their names submitted to President William Ruto for formal appointment, as required by Article 166 (1) (b) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010. Once appointed, these additional judges will increase the Court of Appeal’s capacity from 27 to 42 judges, which is expected to improve the Court’s ability to handle the backlog of pending cases and enhance access to justice by ensuring timely hearings and decisions on appeals.
In her statement, Chief Justice Koome reaffirmed the JSC’s commitment to upholding the principles of effective, efficient, and transparent justice administration. The appointment of these new judges marks a significant step towards enhancing the efficiency and accessibility of the judicial system in Kenya.
