Former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson Isaak Hassan and senior advocate Katwa Kigen are among several jurists appointed as judges of the Court of Appeal.

The appointments were confirmed through a gazette notice issued on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, by President William Samoei Ruto, in accordance with Article 166(1)(b) of the Constitution of Kenya.

“IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred by Article 166 (1) (b) of the Constitution, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint” The gazette notice read.

The other appointed judges are Hedwig Imbosa Ong’udi, Mathews Nduma Nderi, Linnet Mumo Ndolo, Enock Chacha Mwita, Lucy Mwihaki Njuguna, Samson Odhiambo Okong’o, Rachel Chepkoech Ngetich, Stephen Andersen Radido Okiyo, Brown Murungi Kairaria, Paul Lilan, Munyao Sila, Johnson Okoth Okello, and Byram Ongaya.

The interview

The appointments follow a rigorous recruitment and vetting process conducted by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), presided over by Chief Justice Martha Koome and overseen by Attorney General Dorcas Oduor.

The process involved public interviews, integrity vetting, and professional assessments to determine the suitability of candidates for the appellate court, one of Kenya’s most critical judicial institutions.

The new judges are expected to strengthen the capacity of the Court of Appeal, which continues to face a growing backlog of cases and increasing demand for judicial services.

Appointment of the judges

This also follows a gazette notice by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), which approved the candidates who had presented themselves before the commission interested in the court of appeal judge position

JSC, in a press statement issued on Thursday, January 22, 2026, said it had completed the recruitment and selection process of the judges and that it was in the process of transmitting the names of the nominees to President William Ruto for appointment.

“The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has concluded the recruitment and selection process for the appointment of Judges of the Court of Appeal and is in the process of transmitting the names of the nominees to His Excellency the President of the Republic of Kenya for appointment, in accordance with Article 166 (1) (b) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010,” JSC stated.

The appointed judges are set to be sworn in by the president in the statehouse in an event overseen by the Chief Justice Martha Koome