President William Ruto with the newly appointed judges at State House, Nairobi in 2024.
Over 2,600 persons have applied to join the Judiciary as judges and magistrates, with applicants seeking to be judges of the High Court attracting over 370 candidates.
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) advertised the positions, including 45 judges of the Court of Appeal, High Court and Environment and Land Court (ELC).
The commission said in a statement that it was now embarking on the next phase of processing the applications and shortlisting of candidates before conducting interviews.
“The public is assured that the recruitment process will be conducted strictly in accordance with the Constitution and all applicable laws. The JSC remains firmly committed to the principles of meritocracy, fairness, transparency and integrity in all its operations,” said the JSC in a statement.
Last year, the JSC was forced to shelve the recruitment of judges, which was at an advanced stage, following budget cuts caused by the shelving of the Finance Bill, 2024.
Read also: How protests affected the Judiciary
Advocates of the High Court present at the Milimani Law Court during the hearing of a petition challenging the Finance Act on September 13, 2023. Seven different Human Rights Groups filed the petition at the High Court challenging the Act, the hearing will take two days before the three judges.
Of the 2,679 applications, 94 applied to become judges of the Court of Appeal. The JSC wants to recruit 15 judges for the country’s second-highest court.
Some 376 persons applied to become judges of the High Court, while the judiciary had advertised 20 posts.
And for judges of the ELC, there were 242 applicants for the 10 positions advertised by the JSC.
The posts of resident magistrate attracted the highest number, with 1,714 persons applying for the 100 available positions.
The JSC had advertised five positions for the Kadhi, and 253 applicants sought to be considered.
To become a judge of the Court of Appeal, one has to have at least ten years’ experience as a judge of the High Court and courts of equal status or be a professionally qualified magistrate, or have at least ten years’ experience as a distinguished academic, or legal practitioner or such experience in any other relevant legal field.
It is only the Supreme Court that has the required number of judges.
The Court of Appeal has 28 judges of the required 70, the High Court has 95 judges out of the required 200, while the ELC has 52 judges, and the required number is 63.
Constitution of Kenya render
Judges serve up to 70 years but have the option of retiring at 65 years.
The Environment and Land Court determines disputes on environmental planning and protection, climate issues, land use planning, title, tenure, boundaries, rates, rents, valuations, mining, minerals and other natural resources. The court also hears disputes relating to compulsory acquisition of land, land administration and management, and any other dispute relating to the environment and land.
The notice stated that one has to have experience gained in Kenya or in another Commonwealth country with a common law jurisdiction.
“In addition, the applicants should demonstrate a high degree of professional competence, communication skills, fairness, good temperament, good judgment, a wide breadth of both legal and life experience and demonstrable commitment to public and community service,” the CJ said.
