President William Ruto and Chief Justice Martha Koome on Monday, May 4, 2026, presided over the swearing-in of 37 new judges of the High Court and the Environment and Land Court, who were recently recruited by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

The event that kicked off at 8:00 am was held at the State House, Nairobi, and was attended by key government figures, including Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.

JSC had on Friday, April 10, 2026, said it had concluded the recruitment and selection process, describing it as one of the most competitive and transparent processes in recent years.

Judges sworn in

Among those sworn in as the judges of the High Court are Robinson Ondieki Kebabe, Roseline Akinyi Oganyo, Paul Kipkosgei Rotich, Joyce Mkambe Gandani, Joseph Maloba Were, Richard Kipkemoi Koech, Emmanuel Omondi Bitta, David Wanjohi Mburu, Dominic Kipkemoi Rono, and Winnie Narasha Molonko.

Those sworn in as the judges of the Environment and Land Court include John Walter Wanyonyi, Dr. Robert Omondi Owino, Jecinta Atieno Orwa, Lillian Tsuma Lewa, Peter Muneeno Musyimi, Bellinda Akoth Akello, Cyprian Mugambi Nguthari, Ben Mark Ekhubi, Charity Chebii Oluoch, Josphat Ngeria Kuyioni, Gerhard Gitonga Muchege, Elena Gathoni Nderitu, and Charles Nchore Ondieki.

Recruitment process

While announcing the conclusion of the recruitment process, JSC noted that the process attracted a high number of applicants across all levels, with 95 applicants for the Court of Appeal, from which 35 were shortlisted, while 377 applied for the High Court and 100 were shortlisted.

A total of 243 applicants applied for the Environment and Land Court, where 50 candidates were shortlisted. The commission explained that the selection was rigorous and competitive, with hundreds applying for limited slots.

“These vacancies attracted a strong and competitive response. The Commission received 95 applications for the Court of Appeal and shortlisted 35 candidates; 377 applications for the High Court, from which 100 candidates were shortlisted; and 243 applications for the Environment and Land Court, with 50 candidates shortlisted,” the commission stated.

The commission also explained that earlier appointments to the Court of Appeal created gaps in the lower courts, forcing it to adjust the number of available positions.

The JSC further clarified that it relied on legal provisions to increase the number of judges from 20 to 24 for the High Court and another from 10 to 13 for the Environment and and Courts to be recruited to fill emerging vacancies.

“Accordingly, the Commission increased the number of positions to be filled from twenty (20) to twenty-four (24) for the High Court, and from ten (10) to thirteen (13) for the Environment and Land Court,” the statement read.