Ruto’s lawyer among 15 nominees for Court of Appeal judges

By Newsflash Reporter

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has nominated 15 candidates for appointment as judges of the Court of Appeal, in a move aimed at strengthening the appellate bench and enhancing the efficiency of the justice system.

Among those nominated are Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) chairperson Ahmed Isaack Hassan, senior advocate Katwa Kigen, who is a longtime advocate of President William Ruto, and High Court Judge Chaacha Mwita.

According to a statement released on Thursday, January 22 by Chief Justice Martha Koome, who is also the Chairperson of the Judicial Service Commission, the nominations followed a competitive, transparent, and merit-based recruitment process as required by the Constitution.

Brief profiles of key nominees

Ahmed Isaack Hassan is a veteran lawyer and public administrator with wide experience in constitutional commissions and oversight institutions. He previously served as chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and currently heads IPOA, where he oversees police accountability and reform. His nomination brings extensive institutional and governance experience to the shortlist.

Katwa Kigen is an advocate of the High Court with long-standing experience in legal practice. He is well regarded within the legal fraternity and has handled diverse matters spanning constitutional law, commercial disputes, and public interest litigation, representing the contribution of the Bar in the appellate recruitment.

Justice Chaacha Mwita is a serving High Court judge recognised for his work in constitutional, judicial review, and administrative law cases. His jurisprudence has addressed critical governance and rule-of-law questions, earning him recognition as a meticulous and independent judicial officer.

Full list of other nominees

In addition to Hassan, Kigen, and Mwita, the JSC listed the following 12 nominees for appointment to the Court of Appeal:

Justice John Mativo
Justice Pauline Nyamweya
Justice James Makau
Justice Mugure Thande
Justice Hedwig Ong’udi
Justice Anthony Mrima
Justice Nixon Sifuna
Justice Roselyne Aburili
Justice Jairus Ngaah
Justice Lydia Achode
Justice Florence Muchemi
Justice Weldon Korir

The Commission noted that the nominees were drawn from both the Bench and the Bar, reflecting a balance of experience and expertise in line with constitutional principles on judicial appointments.

Vetting process

Chief Justice Koome said the recruitment process was conducted in accordance with Articles 166 and 172 of the Constitution, which mandate the JSC to recommend qualified persons for judicial appointment. The process involved the evaluation of applications, public interviews, and integrity checks to assess competence, independence, and suitability.

The statement further indicated that the names of the nominees will be forwarded to the President for onward submission to the National Assembly for vetting and approval. In keeping with the principles of transparency and public participation, members of the public have been invited to submit any relevant information regarding the suitability of the nominees within the stipulated period.

The Court of Appeal plays a pivotal role in Kenya’s judicial architecture, serving as the final court in most matters before escalation to the Supreme Court. The JSC said increasing the number of judges at this level is critical to addressing rising caseloads, reducing case backlogs, and improving access to justice.

If approved, the new appointees are expected to significantly enhance the court’s capacity and contribute to faster, more effective resolution of appeals, reinforcing public confidence in the administration of justice.