Fifteen New Court of Appeal Judges Sworn In at State House
News Updated: 28 January 2026 10:58 EAT
President William Samoei Ruto at State House during the swearing in of 15 court of appeal judges
Fifteen judges appointed to Kenya’s Court of Appeal were formally sworn in at a ceremony held at State House, Nairobi, on Wednesday, presided over by President William Ruto and Chief Justice Martha Koome, alongside senior judiciary officials. The investiture follows a gazette notice issued under constitutional provisions empowering the President to appoint judges to superior courts.
The newly sworn‑in judges took oaths to uphold the Constitution and perform their duties impartially, marking the start of their tenure at the appellate bench, which hears appeals from the High Court and other tribunals. They appeared in traditional maroon and black ceremonial robes for the occasion.
Among the appointees are legal practitioners and sitting High Court judges, including former IEBC chair Ahmed Issack Hassan and senior advocate Joseph Kipchumba Kigen Katwa. Other names include Hedwig Imbosa Ong’udi, Mathews Nduma Nderi, Linnet Mumo Ndolo, Enock Chacha Mwita, Lucy Mwihaki Njuguna, and Stephen Andersen Radido Okiyo.
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) led a rigorous vetting process, including public advertising of vacancies, shortlisting, interviews, and comprehensive assessments of professional aptitude, integrity, and commitment to the rule of law. Chief Justice Koome described the process as transparent and highly competitive.
President Ruto and the Chief Justice emphasized that the new appointments strengthen the judiciary at a time when the Court of Appeal faces a significant backlog of cases. The expanded bench is expected to enhance efficiency in hearing appeals and improve access to justice across Kenya.
With these appointments, the Court of Appeal’s complement rises to 42 from the previous 27, a substantial increase designed to meet growing demands on the appellate system and align with recent legal reforms aimed at addressing delays in case resolution.
Leaders in the legal community, including the Law Society of Kenya, welcomed the new judges, expressing confidence that the expanded bench will deepen jurisprudential development and ensure more timely adjudication of complex legal matters.
The swearing‑in ceremony attracted senior members of the judiciary, legal fraternity, and state officials, highlighting the significance of these appointments within Kenya’s broader governance and rule‑of‑law framework.
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FELIX MAKONA
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