Chief Justice Koome transfers Court of Appeal judges, assigns new ones

Chief Justice Martha Koome has transferred some judges of the Court of Appeal and posted the seven newly appointed judges to their new stations.

“The transfers are done in accordance with the Transfer Policy of the Court of Appeal that spells out clearly how long a judge should serve in one station, among other issues,” reads a press release from the Judiciary’s Department of Public Affairs and Communication.

The seven new Court of Appeal Judges, who were appointed by the President are; Justices Francis Tuiyott, Hellen Omondi, Pauline Nyamweya, Msagha Mbogholi, Jessie Lesiit, Mumbi Ngugi and  Dr Imaana Laibuta.

Shortage of judges 

Justices Hellen Omondi, Msagha Mbogholi and Imaana Laibuta have been posted to Nairobi’s Court of Appeal while Justices Francis Tuiyott and Mumbi Ngugi have been posted to Kisumu.

Justices Nyamweya and Jessie Lesiit on the other hand, will head to Mombasa to re-activate the court.

“It is noted that two (Mombasa and Kisumu) out of the three stations closed in 2019 owing to shortage of judges will now have judges sitting permanently,” read the press statement. The Judges will report to their new stations on July 1, 2021.

Others that will serve in Nairobi are; Justices Daniel Musinga as the President, Justice Mohamed Warsame, COA Representative to Judicial Service Commission, Nairobi and Justice Kathurima M’Inoti as Director, Judiciary Training Institute, Nairobi. Justice Hannah Okwengu will head Civil Division Nairobi and Justice Asike Makhandia the Criminal Division.

Justices Roselyn Nambuye, Wanjiru Karanja, Agnes Murgor, Fatuma Sichale and Jamila Mohammed will also serve in Nairobi.

Sworn in

Patrick Kiage will be the Presiding Judge in Kisumu and Justice Gatembu Kairu the Presiding Judge, Mombasa.

The seven new Judges were sworn in on June 4, 2021 bringing in the total Judges complement to 20 against a maximum of 30 provided for in the Judicature Act 2012.

They were among the 34 judges out of the now 40 judges proposed by the Judicial Service Commission last year that the President appointed; leaving out six and one nominee who died seven months ago.

JSC had nominated 11 High Court judges for appointment to the Court of Appeal.

Those that were left out are; Justices George Odunga, Weldon Korir, Aggrey Muchelule and Prof Joel Ngugi among  others.