Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) Chairperson Ahmed Isaack Hassan, High Court Judge Chacha Mwita, and prominent lawyer Katwa Kigen are among 35 candidates shortlisted by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) for appointment as Judges of the Court of Appeal.
The list, released by the JSC on Thursday, includes 19 serving High Court judges and 15 advocates drawn from the Bar and academia. The candidates were shortlisted from 95 applicants who submitted their interest by the July 7, 2025 deadline for the 15 available Court of Appeal positions.
Among those set to appear before the JSC panel are renowned law lecturer Professor Migai Oketch, Environment and Land Court Presiding Judge Oscar Angote, and Justices Joseph Sergon, Hedwig Ong’udi, Onesmus Makau, Nduma Nderi, Edward Muriithi, and Samson Okongo.
Other notable names include Justices William Musyoka, Lucy Njuguna, Lucy Mbugua, Robert Limo, Rachael Ngetich, Dalmas Oungo, and Byram Ongaya, alongside lawyers Paul Lilan, Dr. Lucy Wanja, and Daniel Ogola.
In a statement, the JSC confirmed that the shortlisted candidates met all requirements outlined in the vacancy notice. The Commission said it will announce interview dates soon and invited the public to submit confidential information or views regarding any of the candidates.
“The Commission may interview any member of the public who provides relevant information,” the JSC noted, reaffirming its commitment to transparency, fairness, and merit-based recruitment.
The current recruitment drive also includes 20 High Court Judges, 10 Environment and Land Court Judges, 100 Resident Magistrates, and 5 Kadhis.
Chief Justice Martha Koome, who chairs the JSC, revealed that a total of 2,679 applications were received across all judicial positions. Earlier in January, the Commission had suspended judicial appointments due to Treasury-imposed budget cuts that constrained the Judiciary’s operations.
