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JSC unveils 15 to take up Court of Appeal judge slots
Some of the 15 nominee judges for the Court of Appeal.
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has named 15 judges for appointment to the Court of Appeal, expanding the number of judges at the appellate court to 42.
The increase in number of judges is aimed at clearing backlogs, shorten appeal timelines and improve access to justice nationwide.
On Thursday, the commission said it was in the process of transmitting the names of successful nominees to President William Ruto for formal appointment.
Those nominated are 11 men and four women, including 10 serving judges of the High Court, Employment and Labour Relations Court (ELRC) and Environment and Land court (ELC), as well as five legal practitioners and senior advocates.
Among them are High Court judges Hedwig Ong’udi, Enock Chacha Mwita, Lucy Njuguna and Rachel Ngetich.
More JSC nominees.
Also picked are ELRC judges Mathews Nduma Nderi, Linnet Ndolo, Byram Ongaya, and Stephen Radido. Justices Sila Munyao and Samson Okong’o previously served as judges of the ELC.
Others are the Independent Police Oversight Authority Chairperson Ahmed Issack Hassan, Capital Markets Tribunal Chair Paul Lilan, Senior Counsel Katwa Kigen, Brown Kairaria, and Johnson Okello, who is the director of legal services at the Parliamentary Service Commission.
The court currently grapples with thousands of pending appeals, many involving commercial, constitutional and electoral disputes.
In her statement, Chief Justice Martha Koome said the appointments reaffirmed the commission’s “unwavering commitment to the effective, efficient and transparent administration of justice”.
Largest single expansion
She congratulated the nominees and thanked the public for participating in a process she said strengthened confidence in the Judiciary.
The nominations now await presidential appointment and swearing-in, marking one of the largest single expansions of the appellate bench since the 2010 Constitution, at a time when pressure is mounting on courts to deliver faster, credible and predictable justice system.
The reforms are expected to shape jurisprudence and public trust going forward nationwide.
The JSC said the process was “rigorous, transparent, competitive, and transmitted live”, underscoring renewed efforts to insulate judicial appointments from political influence and public suspicion.
Vacancies were publicly advertised, citizens invited to submit memoranda, and shortlisted candidates subjected to open interviews and comprehensive scrutiny.
According to the commission, merit and integrity were paramount, alongside gender parity, inclusivity and regional balance. Candidates were assessed on legal competence, communication skills, judgement, temperament and commitment to constitutionalism and public services.
The JSC will now embark on interviews for judges of the High Court judges and later judges of the Environment and Land Court.
The JSC also announced a vacancy at the Supreme Court, following the death of Justice Mohammed Ibrahim late last year.
List of nominees
1. Justice Hedwig Imbosa Ong'udi
2. Justice Mathews Nduma Nderi
3. Justice Linnet Mumo Ndolo
4. Justice Enock Chacha Mwita
5. Justice Lucy Mwihaki Njuguna
6. Justice Samson Odhiambo Okongo
7. Justice Rachel Chepkoech Ngetich
8. Joseph Kipchumba Kigen Katwa
9. Justice Stephen Andersen Radido Okiyo
10. Mr Brown Murungi Kairaria
11. Mr Ahmed Issack Hassan
12. Mr Paul Lilan
13. Hon Mr Justice Munyao Sila
14. Mr Johnson Okoth Okello
15. Hon Mr Justice Byram Ongaya
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