The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has named Senior Counsels Katwa Kigen and Ahmed Issack Hassan among 15 nominees selected by the commission for appointment as Judges of the Court of Appeal.
JSC, in a press statement on Thursday, January 22, announced that it has concluded the recruitment and selection process and is in the process of forwarding the names of the successful nominees to President William Ruto for formal appointment.
The commission said the nominations are being transmitted in line with Article 166 (1) (b) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, which mandates the President to appoint judges upon nomination by the JSC.
“The recruitment process was rigorous, transparent, competitive, and transmitted live. It also comprised public advertisement of vacancies, public participation before shortlisting, public interviews, and comprehensive vetting undertaken in line with the Constitution, the Judicial Service Act, and applicable regulations,” the statement reads in part.
“In reaching its decision, the Commission was guided by constitutional principles, including merit, integrity, fairness, gender parity, inclusivity, and regional balance.”
According to JSC, candidates were evaluated on professional competence, written and oral communication skills, integrity, sound judgement, legal and life experience, as well as a demonstrable commitment to public service, the rule of law and constitutionalism.
Katwa Kigen and Issack Hassan among JSC nominees
The 15 nominees are among 35 candidates shortlisted by JSC for the Court of Appeal Judge position and who appeared for interviews concluded on Wednesday.
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Lawyer Katwa Kigen, who was conferred with the rank of Senior Counsel by President Ruto in December 2025, has been a central figure in the President’s legal defense for more than two decades.
He rose to international prominence as part of the defense team representing Ruto at the International Criminal Court in The Hague and later acted for the President in the 2022 presidential election petition.
In April 2025, he withdrew his application for appointment as a commissioner of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Also nominated are former IEBC Chairperson and Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) Chairperson Ahmed Issack Hassan, and Lady Justice Linnet Mumo Ndolo, an Employment and Labour Relations Court (ELRC) Judge with experience in Nairobi and Mombasa. Justice Ndolo, who has a background in human rights advocacy, was interviewed on January 19.
High Court Judge Enock Chacha Mwita, known for several landmark constitutional decisions, including a ruling blocking the 2024/2025 deployment of Kenyan police officers to Haiti, is also among the nominees. Justice Mwita, who received the CB Madan Award in 2025, appeared before the JSC on January 15.
Other nominees
The list of nominees further includes serving judges drawn from different superior courts. Among them is Lady Justice Hedwig Imbosa Ong’udi, the Presiding Judge of the Nakuru High Court, who joined the Judiciary in 1985 as a District Magistrate and was appointed a High Court Judge in 2011.
Justice Ong’udi has previously served in the Anti-Corruption, Economic Crimes and Civil Divisions and was interviewed for the Court of Appeal position on January 21, 2026.
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Justice Mathews Nduma Nderi, a Judge of the ELRC since 2012 and its first Principal Judge, is also on the list.
He holds a Master of Laws degree from the University of Stellenbosch and previously served as Judge President of the Industrial Court of Swaziland. He was interviewed on January 19, 2026.
Other nominees include Lady Justice Lucy Mwihaki Njuguna, Justice Samson Odhiambo Okongo, Lady Justice Rachel Chepkoech Ngetich, Justice Stephen Andersen Radido Okiyo, Justice Munyao Sila, and Justice Byram Ongaya. The list further features Brown Murungi Kairaria, Paul Lilan, and Johnson Okoth Okello.
“The Commission congratulates the nominees and thanks all candidates who participated in the process for their interest in serving the Judiciary and the nation,” the statement adds.
JSC also appreciated members of the public and institutions that submitted memoranda and engaged with the exercise.
Once appointed, the additional judges will raise the number of Judges of the Court of Appeal from 27 to 42. The Commission said the increase will strengthen the Court’s capacity to address case backlogs and enhance access to justice through the timely hearing and determination of appeals.
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