The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) will begin interviews for new judges of the Court of Appeal, High Court, and Environment and Land Court (ELC) in early 2026. According to a schedule released by the Chief Justice Martha Koome-led Commission, the public interviews will run from January 12 to March 23, 2026, at the JSC Boardroom, CBK Pension Towers, in Nairobi.
The Commission plans to recruit 15 Judges for the Court of Appeal, 20 for the High Court, and 10 for the Environment and Land Court. Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Winfridah Mokaya said the public is invited to submit written information of interest regarding any of the shortlisted candidates.
“Members of the public are encouraged to avail any relevant information on the shortlisted candidates. Such information will be treated as confidential,” Mokaya stated.
Law lecturer and author Migai Akech will be the first candidate to face the JSC panel on the morning of January 12, 2026. Other notable names include IPOA Chairperson Ahmed Isaack Hassan, High Court Judge Chacha Mwita, and lawyer Katwa Kigen.
Also lined up for interviews are ELC Presiding Judge Oscar Angote, Justices Joseph Sergon, Yuvinalis Angima, Hedwig Ong’udi, Onesmus Makau, and Nduma Nderi among others.
The 35 candidates shortlisted for the Court of Appeal were drawn from 95 applicants who expressed interest before the July 7, 2025 deadline.
For the High Court positions, lawyer Elizabeth Achieng Agutu will open the interviews on February 4, 2026, with 100 candidates shortlisted. Among them are Nabil Mokaya Orina, Crispin Owiye, and Priscilla Nyokabi Kanyua.
Interviews for the Environment and Land Court will begin on March 9, 2026, led by lawyer Fatuma Mohammed Addallah. The JSC shortlisted 50 candidates for the 10 available positions.
These appointments are part of ongoing efforts to enhance the Judiciary’s capacity and improve access to justice across Kenya.
