JSC to start interviews for Appeal Court, High Court judges from January 2026

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) will start interviews for the Court of Appeal and High Court judges from January next year.

In a schedule provided by the Chief Justice Martha Koome-led JSC, the public interviews will run from January 12 to March 23 2026.

The Commission seeks to recruit 15 Judges of the Court of Appeal, 20 High Court Judges and 10 Judges to the Environment and Land Court (ELC).

“It is notified for general information that JSC will be conducting interviews for the positions from January 12, 2026, to March 23, 2026, at the JSC Boardroom, CBK Pension Towers, 12th Floor, Harambee Avenue, Nairobi,” the notice signed by Chief Registrar Winfridah Mokaya reads in part.  

The CRJ said members of the public are invited to avail in writing any information of interest in respect to any of 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,” she said.

Law lecturer and author  Migai Akech will be the first one of the 35 shortlisted to face the panel in the morning of 12 at 9 am.

Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) Chairperson Ahmed Isaack Hassan, High Court Judge Chacha Mwita, and lawyer Katwa Kigen are among the candidates to face JSC.

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, Lucy Wanja, Daniel Ogola, Brown Murungi, 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.

Lawyer Elizabeth Achieng Agutu will open interviews for the high court judges on the morning of Wednesday, February 4, 2026. JSC 100 candidates for 20 vacant positions.

Land Acquisition Tribunal chairman Nabil Mokaya Orina will face the panel on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 11 am, followed by IEBC’s head of legal Crispin Owiye at noon, while Chief Justice Emeritus Davad Maraga’s Chief of Staff Conrad Bosire will appear on the 5th of February 5.

Former Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) member and who also served a Nyeri Woman Rep Priscilla Nyokabi Kanyua will face the panel on the 10th of February.

“The JSC, having reviewed the applications for completeness and conformity with the requirements of the Constitution and the advertisement, has shortlisted one hundred (100) candidates for the post of Judge of the High Court,” JSC stated last month.

Lawyer Fatuma Mohammed Addallah will open the segment of ELC judges on the morning of Monday, March 9, 2026, according to the schedule.

JSC shortlisted 50 candidates for the 10 slots which are up for grabs.

“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,” Mokaya stated on October 25, 2025.