NAIROBI, Kenya — The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has nominated 15 candidates for appointment as Judges of the Court of Appeal, in a move set to significantly expand the bench of Kenya’s second-highest court and ease a persistent backlog of appeals.
Among the nominees are Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) Chairperson Ahmed Issack Hassan and prominent advocate Joseph Kipchumba Kigen Katwa, both of whom bring long-standing experience in constitutional law, public administration, and governance to the appellate court.
In a statement issued on January 22, the JSC said it had concluded a “rigorous, transparent and competitive” recruitment process and was in the process of transmitting the names to President William Ruto for formal appointment, in line with Article 166(1)(b) of the Constitution.
The Commission said the process involved public advertisement of vacancies, public participation before shortlisting, live-streamed interviews, and extensive vetting conducted under the Constitution, the Judicial Service Act, and applicable regulations.
Besides Hassan and Katwa, the nominees include several serving High Court judges: Justices Hedwig Imbosa Ong’udi, Mathews Nduma Nderi, Linnet Mumo Ndolo, Enock Chacha Mwita, Lucy Mwihaki Njuguna, Samson Odhiambo Okongo, Rachel Chepkoech Ngetich, Stephen Andersen Radido Okiyo, Munyao Sila, and Byram Ongaya. Also nominated are Brown Murungi Kairaria, Paul Lilan, and Johnson Okoth Okello.
Issack Hassan is best known for his tenure as chair of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) between 2011 and 2016, a period that oversaw two general elections and far-reaching electoral reforms.
He currently heads IPOA, the civilian body mandated to oversee police accountability. His nomination places a seasoned public administrator and election law expert on course for a key judicial role.
Kigen Katwa, a long-serving advocate of the High Court, has built a reputation in litigation, governance, and human rights practice. His inclusion reflects the Commission’s continued reliance on senior members of the Bar to bolster the appellate bench.
The JSC said it was guided by constitutional principles of merit, integrity, fairness, gender parity, inclusivity, and regional balance. Candidates were assessed on professional competence, communication skills, integrity, judgement, legal and life experience, and commitment to constitutionalism and the rule of law.
If all the nominees are appointed, the Court of Appeal will grow from 27 to 42 judges. The Commission said the expansion is intended to strengthen the court’s capacity, reduce case backlogs, and improve access to justice through faster determination of appeals.
The nominations now move to the President for appointment, after which the judges will be sworn in. Under the Constitution, the President is required to appoint judges nominated by the JSC, a safeguard designed to protect judicial independence and limit executive discretion.
The JSC congratulated the nominees and thanked other candidates and members of the public who participated in the process, reaffirming its commitment to “effective, efficient and transparent administration of justice”.
