The Judicial Service Commission has nominated Mohamed Warsame as the new judge of the Supreme Court of Kenya following the conclusion of a two-day interview process.
The announcement was made on Wednesday by Chief Justice Martha Koome, who chairs the commission.
Koome said the commission reached its decision after careful consideration of all candidates who took part in the competitive interviews held between Tuesday and Wednesday.
She noted that Warsame stood out among the applicants and met the standards required for the country’s highest court. In her statement, she confirmed that the commission had completed the recruitment process and formally settled on his nomination.
Justice Warsame was among six judges who had applied for the position, though only five were shortlisted for the final interviews.
The vacancy arose after the death of Mohamed Ibrahim in December 2025. Justice Ibrahim passed away on December 17 after a short illness, just days before he was expected to proceed on terminal leave ahead of his retirement at the start of 2026.
The recruitment process began earlier this year when the commission advertised the position on January 27. Applications closed on February 17, drawing interest from several senior members of the bench.
Among those who applied were Justices Joseph Kiplagat Sergon, Joseph Kipchumba Kigen Katwa, and Francis Kipruto Tuiyott.
Koome emphasized that the process was carried out in line with the Constitution and the Judicial Service Act. She said the commission focused on merit, integrity, fairness, inclusivity, and regional balance when evaluating candidates.
According to her, Warsame demonstrated strong professional competence, sound judgment, and a clear commitment to the rule of law and public service.
Following the nomination, Warsame’s name has been forwarded to President William Ruto for formal appointment as required under Article 166(1)(a) of the Constitution.
Koome announced a new step aimed at improving transparency within the Judiciary. She said that starting July 1, 2026, the Judiciary will begin publishing individual performance data for judges and judicial officers.
The move is expected to promote accountability, help reduce case backlogs, and improve access to justice for the public.
