Martha Koome preps Court of Appeal expansion for William Ruto

Kenya’s top judicial recruiters just dropped 15 new Court of Appeal nominees, signaling a serious attempt to unclog case backlogs, move appeals faster, and prove that transparent hiring is not just talk.

What just happened

• Judicial Service Commission finalized nominations for 15 Court of Appeal judges.
• The move is framed as a capacity boost, not a symbolic reshuffle.
• Faster case resolution is the headline goal.

Who made it official

• Chief Justice Martha Koome announced the outcome.
• She said the process was rigorous, transparent, and constitutionally grounded.
• The names now move to William Ruto for appointment.

Why does this matter immediately

• The Court of Appeal is stretched thin.
• Judge numbers will jump from 27 to 42 once appointments land.
• That is one of the biggest staffing expansions in recent years.

Who the nominees are

• The list blends sitting judges, senior lawyers, and former public officials.
• Nominees come from across the country, not one legal bubble.
• The diversity angle was clearly intentional.

The full list of nominees

• Lady Justice Hedwig Imbosa Ong’udi.
• Justice Mathews Nduma Nderi.
• Lady Justice Linnet Mumo Ndolo.
• Justice Enock Chacha Mwita.
• Lady Justice Lucy Mwihaki Njuguna.
• Justice Samson Odhiambo Okongo.
• Lady Justice Rachel Chepkoech Ngetich.
• Justice Joseph Kipchumba Kigen Katwa.
• Justice Stephen Andersen Radido Okiyo.
• Justice Brown Murungi Kairaria.
• Justice Ahmed Issack Hassan.
• Justice Paul Lilan.
• Justice Munyao Sila.
• Justice Johnson Okoth Okello.
• Justice Byram Ongaya.

How the selection went down

• The vacancies were publicly advertised.
• Shortlisting and interviews included public participation.
• Interviews were broadcast live for anyone watching closely.

Where the interviews played out

• Sessions were streamed on YouTube.
• They also ran live on Facebook.
• Transparency was not subtle or optional.

What candidates were grilled on

• Judicial philosophy and constitutional interpretation.
• Integrity, independence, and decision-making.
• Experience handling complex appellate matters.

What rules guided the choices

• The Constitution and the Judicial Service Act set the baseline.
• Merit, fairness, and integrity carried heavy weight.
• Gender parity, inclusivity, and regional balance were baked in.

The scale of the competition

• Ninety-five people applied by the July 7, 2025, deadline.
• Thirty-five candidates made the shortlist.
• Only 15 walked away with nominations.

Timeline of the process

• Interviews began on January 12, 2026.
• The week-long sessions wrapped on January 21, 2026.
• The entire exercise stayed open to public scrutiny.

Why the backlog angle matters

• The Court of Appeal handles cases from the High Court.
• Delays here ripple across the entire justice system.
• More judges mean faster determinations and better access to justice.

What else is the JSC doing

• Recruitment is not stopping at the appellate level.
• The commission is also hiring High Court judges.
• Environment and Land Court judges are included.

More positions in the pipeline

• One hundred resident magistrates are being recruited.
• Five Kadhis are also part of the intake.
• The push is system-wide, not cosmetic.

What the commission is signaling

• Staffing gaps are finally being confronted head-on.
• Efficiency is the stated priority across all courts.
• The judiciary is trying to scale up before delays scale out.

The bottom line

• Fifteen new appellate judges is not a small tweak.
• If appointments go through, the Court of Appeal changes shape fast.
• The real test comes next, when speed and quality both have to show up.