NAIROBI, Kenya – The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has declared 45 vacancies for judges in the superior courts, months after suspending recruitment due to budget cuts.
In a Gazette Notice dated June 4, 2025, Chief Justice and JSC Chairperson Martha Koome announced 15 openings in the Court of Appeal, 20 in the High Court, and 10 in the Environment and Land Court.
“Pursuant to section 30 of the Judicial Service Commission Act… I, Martha Koome… declare vacancies in the office of the Judge of the Court of Appeal,” reads the notice.
The announcement follows the January 22, 2025, revocation of a prior recruitment drive, which was shelved over financial limitations.
At the time, JSC Secretary and Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Winfred Mokaya cited Treasury-enforced budget cuts as the reason for the freeze.
The previously advertised posts, announced in February 2024, had included 11 Court of Appeal and five High Court positions.
Those plans were halted just months after the Treasury ordered a 15 per cent slash in Judiciary spending, prompting a pause on non-essential activities.
Chief Justice Koome said then that the move was necessary to align with fiscal directives.
“Regrettably, this has necessitated the decision… to suspend all pending recruitments,” she said.
