President William Ruto’s lawyer, Joseph Kipchumba Katwa Kigen, is among 15 nominees for appointment as Judges of the Court of Appeal, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has confirmed.
The Commission said it has concluded a rigorous selection process and is now forwarding the names to the President for formal appointment under Article 166(1)(b) of the Constitution.
The process started months ago, with the JSC publicly advertising the vacancies and inviting applications. From nearly 100 applicants, 35 candidates were shortlisted for interviews, which were held in Nairobi earlier this month. The sessions were live streamed to ensure transparency and public participation.
Candidates were assessed on professional competence, integrity, judgment, and understanding of constitutional law.
“We looked at merit, fairness, gender balance, and regional representation,” the JSC said in a statement.
Katwa Kigen is a seasoned lawyer known for representing President Ruto in high-profile cases, including at the International Criminal Court.
His nomination is expected to generate strong reactions from both the legal community and political observers.
The list of nominees also includes IPOA Chair Ahmed Isaack Hassan and several sitting High Court and Environment & Land Court judges. Each went through detailed vetting, including background checks and public hearings.If appointed, the new judges will join a bench that handles key appeals shaping Kenya’s legal landscape.
Observers say the appointments could influence major rulings in coming years, making the selection closely watched across the country.
For Kenyans following the story, the main question is whether the appointments will strengthen judicial independence or raise concerns of political influence. Many legal analysts are already debating the possible implications.
