Ruto appoints Issack Hassan, Katwa Kigen among 15 new Court of Appeal judges
President William Ruto has appointed 15 new Court of Appeal judges, raising the number of judges at the appellate court from 27 to 42.
In a gazette notice on Tuesday, the Head of State confirmed the appointment of Ahmed Issack Hassan, Joseph Kipchumba Kigen Katwa, Hedwig Imbosa Ong'udi, Mathews Nduma Nderi, Linnet Mumo Ndolo, Enock Chacha Mwita, Lucy Mwihaki Njuguna, Samson Odhiambo Okong'o, and Rachel Chepkoech Ngetich.
Others are Stephen Anderson Radido Okiyo, Brown Murungi Kiararia, Paul Lilan, Munyao Sila, Johnson Okoth Okello, and Bryam Ongaya.
The Judicial Service Commission advertised the 15 posts last year and embarked on interviewing 35 candidates early this month.
The JSC said the 15 candidates were nominated after evaluating their professional competence, written and oral communication skills, integrity, fairness, good judgment, legal and life experience.
42 judges
The candidates were also required to have a demonstrable commitment to public service, the rule of law and constitutionalism.
With the new appointments, the Court of Appeal now has 42 judges, up from 27, enabling more benches across its six stations as it moves to ease the long-standing case backlog.
The court has stations in Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Kisumu, Nyeri and Malindi.
The Judiciary amended the Judicature Act to increase the number of judges from 30 to 70, a move Chief Justice Martha Koome said would enhance access to justice and reduce the huge case backlog.
While swearing in new judges in May 2024, President William Ruto said that his government’s bottom-up economic transformation agenda acknowledges the critical role of governance institutions, and in particular, the place of a strong and effective Judiciary in Kenya's progress and inclusive prosperity.
Independent judiciary
Dr Ruto acknowledged that an independent judiciary, an effective executive, a progressive legislature, an open civil society, and a vigilant media are not mutually exclusive but instead, they share a mandate to serve the people and should facilitate each other's efforts.
He called on all arms of the government to strive to appreciate and support each other's work without compromising constitutional principles.
Prosperity
“Ultimately, our legacy will not be evaluated by how stubborn, combative and disagreeable we were, but by our contributions to improving the lives of our people and advancing our nation towards prosperity,” he added.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi has congratulated the 15 on their appointment as Court of Appeal judges.
“I extend hearty congratulations to Dr Johnson Okoth Okello and 14 other newly-appointed judges of the Court of Appeal of the Republic of Kenya. Prior to this appointment, Dr Okello was the Director of Legal Services at the Senate, a role he discharged with distinction and outstanding professionalism, earning his global recognition by his peers, leading to his election as President of the Commonwealth Association of Legal Counsel,” said Mr Kingi on Tuesday.
As the Director of Legal Services at the Senate, Dr Okello was the legal adviser to the Speaker of the Senate, Parliamentary Service Commission, Clerk of the Senate, the Senate Board of Management, and the Directorates and Departments of the Senate.
“As a legal scholar, Dr Okello has mentored countless young lawyers, now serving as advocates of the High Court of Kenya. On behalf of the Senate, I wish Dr Okello and his team of eminent colleagues the very best as they take up their new duties in the Court of Appeal,” added Mr Kingi.
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