President Ruto Appoints 15 Judges to the Court of Appeal
In a Gazette Notice dated January 27, 2026, President Ruto said the appointments were made in line with the Constitution and established legal procedures
By : Mweru Mbugua
President William Ruto has appointed 15 new judges to the Court of Appeal following recommendations by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC)
In a Gazette Notice dated January 27, 2026, President Ruto said the appointments were made in line with the Constitution and established legal procedures
Among those appointed are Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) Chairperson Ahmed Issack Hassan and senior advocate Katwa Kigen, who has previously represented the President. The list also includes serving High Court judges and senior legal practitioners
The appointees are: Justice Chacha Mwita, Lady Justice Hedwig Imbosa Ong’udi, Justice Mathews Nduma Nderi, Lady Justice Linnet Mumo Ndolo, Lady Justice Lucy Mwihaki Njuguna, Justice Samson Odhiambo Okongo, Lady Justice Rachel Chepkoech Ngetich, Justice Stephen Andersen Radido Okiyo, Brown Murungi Kairaria, Paul Lilan, Justice Munyao Sila, Johnson Okoth Okello, and Justice Byram Ongaya
The appointments follow a highly competitive recruitment process conducted by the JSC, which concluded public interviews last week. The Commission said the process involved public advertisement of vacancies, public participation before shortlisting, live-streamed interviews, and thorough vetting in accordance with the Constitution, the Judicial Service Act, and relevant regulations
According to the JSC, candidates were assessed on merit, integrity, fairness, gender parity, inclusivity, and regional balance
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Evaluation criteria included professional competence, communication skills, sound judgment, integrity, legal and life experience, and commitment to public service, the rule of law, and constitutionalism
With the new appointments, the number of judges at the Court of Appeal increases from 27 to 42. The JSC said the expansion is expected to boost the Court’s capacity, reduce the backlog of appeals, and improve access to justice through faster hearing and determination of cases
