NAIROBI, Kenya — President William Ruto on Tuesday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to judicial independence while urging courts to deliver faster justice, as 15 newly appointed judges of the Court of Appeal were sworn in at State House.
Speaking during the ceremony, Ruto described the appointments as one of the most significant reinforcements of the appellate court in recent years, saying the move was aimed at reducing case backlogs and restoring public confidence in the justice system.
“Your appointment carries immense responsibility and profound national consequences,” the President told the judges, noting that the Court of Appeal plays a critical role in safeguarding democracy and constitutional order.
Ruto said the expanded bench comes at a crucial time, with the Court of Appeal grappling with a pending caseload of 14,334 matters as of December 2025 and a case clearance rate of 68 per cent.
He acknowledged progress but said judicial capacity had not kept pace with the growing volume of disputes, particularly in high-traffic stations.
The President said the government has consistently invested in the Judiciary’s human capital to address systemic delays. He noted that since 2022, the administration has appointed 11 judges to the Court of Appeal and is now adding 15 more, describing the move as a deliberate strategy to shorten dispute resolution timelines.
Beyond the appellate court, Ruto said 60 High Court judges will have been appointed by March 2026, alongside the recruitment of 168 resident magistrates to strengthen service delivery at the grassroots.
He also highlighted increased budgetary support for the Judiciary, revealing that allocations have risen from Sh18.8 billion in the 2022/2023 financial year to Sh26.9 billion in the current budget cycle. The President said the funding boost was intended to enhance institutional capacity and operational efficiency.
On judicial welfare, Ruto pointed to progress on the Judges’ Retirement Benefits Bill, which he said is nearing final consideration in Parliament. Once enacted, the law will establish a dedicated pension framework to protect judicial independence and ensure dignified retirement for judges of the superior courts.
Even as he pledged continued support, Ruto issued a pointed challenge to the Judiciary, saying expanded resources must translate into faster case resolution and coherent jurisprudence that reflects the realities facing ordinary Kenyans.
“With improved resourcing, Kenyans rightly expect faster justice and decisions that demonstrate constitutional fidelity,” he said.
The President also addressed past tensions between the Executive and the courts, reaffirming that his administration respects judicial independence. However, he acknowledged disagreements with some rulings, particularly where he believes courts have strayed into policy-making territory.
He said such criticism should not be interpreted as contempt for the courts, adding that his government has always complied with court decisions and pursued appeals through lawful channels where dissatisfied.
“At all times, we remain guided by one immutable principle: the rule of law must prevail,” Ruto said.
The ceremony was attended by Chief Justice Martha Koome, Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu, members of the Judicial Service Commission, and senior judicial officers. The newly sworn-in judges now join the bench at a time when pressure is mounting on the Judiciary to clear long-standing appeals and strengthen public trust in the justice system.
