Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) Chairperson Ahmed Isaack Hassan, High Court Judge Chacha Mwita, and lawyer Katwa Kigen are among those shortlisted for appointment as Judges of the Court of Appeal.
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has published a list of 35 candidates, including 19 serving High Court judges and 15 advocates drawn from the Bar and academia, who will compete for 15 available positions.
Renowned law lecturer Professor Migai Oketch, Environment and Land Court Presiding Judge Oscar Angote, and Justices Joseph Sergon, Yuvinalis Angima, Hedwig Ong’udi, Onesmus Makau, Nduma Nderi, Samson Okongo, and Edward Muriithi are among those scheduled for interviews.
Others include Justices William Musyoka, Obaga Ogoti, Lucy Njuguna, Lucy Mbugua, Robert Limo, Rachael Ngetich, Stephen Radido, Dalmas Oungo, Munyao Sila, and Byram Ongaya.
Lawyers Paul Lilan, Dr. Lucy Wanja, Daniel Ogola, Brown Murungi, Dr. Joseph Kaberia, Waweru Mathenge, Johnson Okello, Protus Gathege, Jacqueline Muindi, and Kamwele Muneeni complete the list of those set to appear before the JSC panel.
The 35 candidates were shortlisted from 95 applicants who submitted their interest by the July 7, 2025, deadline for the vacancies announced in June 2025.
“The JSC, having reviewed the applications for completeness and conformity with the requirements as set out in the advertisement, shortlisted thirty-five (35) candidates for the post of Judge of the Court of Appeal,” the Commission stated.
The JSC said it will announce the interview dates in due course and invited members of the public to submit, in writing, any information of interest regarding the shortlisted candidates.
“Take note that the Commission may interview any member of the public who has submitted information on any of the shortlisted candidates, and such information shall be kept confidential,” it added.
The Commission reiterated that it is an equal opportunity employer and selects candidates based on merit through fair and open competition from the widest pool of eligible applicants.
In the same recruitment drive, the JSC advertised vacancies for 15 Judges of the Court of Appeal, 20 High Court Judges, 10 Judges of the Environment and Land Court, 100 Resident Magistrates, and 5 Kadhis.
Chief Justice Martha Koome, who chairs the JSC, said a total of 2,679 applications were received by the July 7 deadline.
The Court of Appeal positions attracted 94 applications, while 242 were received for the Environment and Land Court. The Resident Magistrates’ posts drew the highest number of applicants — 1,714 — followed by 376 for High Court Judges and 253 for Kadhis.
In January 2025, the JSC had suspended judicial appointments due to budget cuts by the National Treasury, which significantly affected the Judiciary’s operational funding.
