JSC shortlists 50 for Environment and Land Court judges posts

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has shortlisted 50 candidates for appointment as judges of the Environment and Land Court (ELC), following a rigorous review process from a total of 243 applications received earlier this year.

In a statement released on Friday evening, the Commission said the recruitment process began on June 9, 2025, when it advertised 10 vacancies in the Environment and Land Court and invited qualified applicants.

By the close of the application period on July 7, 2025, the JSC had received 243 applications, which were then reviewed for completeness and compliance with the requirements outlined in the call for applications.

“Following a review for completeness and compliance with the criteria outlined in the advertisement, the Commission shortlisted 50 candidates for consideration for appointment as Judges of the Environment and Land Court,” JSC Secretary Winfridah Mokaya stated.

Among the shortlisted are senior magistrates, legal scholars, advocates, and registrars from across the Judiciary.

Some of the notable names include Juliet Chepkoech Busienei, Patrick Blasius Owiny, Daniel Musyoka Ngalu, and Ben Mark Ekhubi, who previously drew public attention for an act of kindness after buying a meal for a suspect in court.

Others shortlisted include Brenda Adhiambo Oduor, Ada Mildred Obura, Caroline Kenda Obara, Hellena Manyara Onkwani, and Paul Kipkemoi Tonui.

The pool features a blend of career judicial officers, signalling the Commission’s effort to strike a balance between courtroom experience and external legal practice.

The ELC, established under Article 162(2)(b) of the Constitution, handles disputes relating to land use, environmental protection, and property rights — a jurisdiction that continues to play a key role in Kenya’s land governance framework and in resolving the country’s longstanding land-related disputes.

The Commission stated that it will announce the dates for interviews in due course and will maintain an open and transparent process.

“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,” the notice added.

The JSC further emphasised that the recruitment process will adhere to principles of merit, fairness, and regional balance as required under the Constitution.

The Environment and Land Court currently faces a significant workload across the country’s 39 ELC stations, with land and environmental disputes forming a large share of the Judiciary’s civil caseload.

The appointment of new judges is expected to ease backlogs and enhance access to justice in regions that have long grappled with delayed land dispute resolution.

The shortlisting comes just days after the Judicial Service Commission also unveiled lists of 35 candidates for the Court of Appeal judges’ recruitment and 100 candidates for the High Court judges’ posts, as part of the ongoing nationwide judicial recruitment exercise.