The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has shortlisted 35 people for Court of Appeal judge positions, a potentially historic move by including judges from specialized courts for the first time. Among those selected are prominent lawyers such as Ahmed Issack Hassan and Katwa Kigen. The appointments aim to reduce the backlog of cases in the appeals court.
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has shortlisted 35 individuals for positions as judges of the Court of Appeal, a step that could be historic following the inclusion of judges from specialized courts for the first time. Of those shortlisted, 21 are High Court judges while 14 are lawyers from the private sector and public institutions.
Judges from the Employment and Labour Relations Court on the list include Onesmus Makau, Mathews Nduma Nderi, Linnet Ndolo, Byram Ongaya, and Stephen Radido. From the Environment and Land Court, those selected include Yuvinalis Angima, Oscar Angote, and Lucy Mbugua. Prominent lawyers from outside the judiciary include IPOA Chairperson Ahmed Issack Hassan, advocate Katwa Kigen, and Professor Migai Akech.
This list comes a few weeks after the High Court dismissed a petition by Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, who claimed the JSC had been excluding specialized court judges from Court of Appeal appointments. If these appointments succeed, the number of Court of Appeal judges will reach 42, still short by 28 judges.
The move occurs as Chief Justice Martha Koome seeks to reduce the backlog of 5,822 cases in the Court of Appeal. These selections could strengthen the integrity and efficiency of Kenya's judicial system.