President William Ruto has appointed 15 judges to the Court of Appeal.
In a Gazette notice dated January 27, President Ruto said the appointments were made in his capacity as Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces.
“In Exercise of the powers conferred by Article 166 (1) (6) of the Constitution. I, William Samoei Ruto. President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces,” read part of the notice.
The appointees are Hedwig Imbosa Ong’udi, Mathews Nduma Nderi, Linnet Mumo Ndolo, Enock Chacha Mwita, Samson Odhiambo Okongo, Lucy Mwihaki Njuguna, Rachel Chepkoech Ngetich, Joseph Kipchumba Kigen Katwa, Stephen Andersen Radido Okiyo, Brown Murungi Kairaria, Ahmed Issack Hassan, Paul Lilan, Munyao Sila, Johnson Okoth Okello, and Byram Ongaya.
This comes after the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) named 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 had concluded the recruitment and selection process and was in the process of forwarding the names of the successful nominees to President Ruto for formal appointment.
According to the JSC, the appointments are expected to enhance the court’s capacity, reduce the growing case backlog, and improve access to justice across the country.
“The Judicial Service Commission has this evening concluded interviews for candidates seeking appointment as Judges of the Court of Appeal to fill 15 vacancies. Once appointed, the Judges will strengthen the Court’s capacity, reduce case backlog and enhance access to justice,” the commission posted.
Ruto Appoints Court of Appeal Judges
On June 9, 2025, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) advertised 15 vacancies for the position of Judge of the Court of Appeal of Kenya, inviting applications from qualified candidates.
By the close of the application period on July 7, 2025, the commission had received 94 applications.
After reviewing the submissions for completeness and compliance with the advertised requirements, the JSC shortlisted 35 candidates for the positions.
The 35 shortlisted candidates for the position of were:
- Hon. Justice (Dr) Joseph Kiplagat Sergon
- Hon. Mr. Justice Yuvinalis Maronga Angima
- Hon. Mr. Justice Oscar Amugo Angote
- Hon. Lady Justice Hedwig Imbosa Ong’udi
- Dr. Lucy Wanja Julius
- Mr. Joseph Kipchumba Kigen Katwa
- Hon. Mr. Justice Elijah Obaga Ogoti
- Mr. Daniel Ochieng Ogola
- Hon. Mr. Justice Onesmus Makau Ndumbuthi
- Hon. Mr. Justice Mathews Nduma Nderi
- Hon. Lady Justice Linnet Mumo Ndolo
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- Hon. Mr. Justice Enock Chacha Mwita
- Hon. Mr. Justice Samson Odhiambo Okongo
- Hon. Mr. Justice Edward Muthoga Muriithi
- Hon. Mr. Justice William Musya Musyoka
- Hon. Mr. Justice Francis Gikonyo Muthuku
- Hon. Lady Justice Lucy Mwihaki Njuguna
- Hon. Lady Justice Lucy Ngima Mbugua
- Mr. Brown Murungi Kairaria
- Hon. Mr. Justice Robert Kipkoech Limo
- Hon. Mr. Justice Stephen Andersen Radido Okiyo
- Hon. Lady Justice Rachel Chepkoech Ngetich
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- Mr. Benard Muteti Mung’ata
- Mr. Paul Lilan, MBS
- Dr. Joseph Arimba Kaberia
- Prof. Migai Akech
- Mr. Waweru Guandaru Mathenge
- Mr. Johnson Okoth Okello
- Hon. Mr. Justice Dalmas Omondi Ohungo
- Hon. Mr. Justice Munyao Sila
- Mr. Ahmed Issack Hassan
- Mr. Protas Saende Gathege
- Hon. Mr. Justice Byram Ongaya
- Ms. Jacqueline Mbithe Mwinzi Muindi
- Mr. Kimwele Muneeni Muneeni
