Justice Mohamed Warsame nominated as Supreme Court judge
By Francis Muli, April 29, 2026The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has nominated Mohamed Warsame as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Kenya.
In a statement on Tuesday, JSC Chairperson Martha Koome said the Commission had concluded a rigorous recruitment and selection process before settling on Justice Warsame as the nominee.
The JSC noted that Justice Warsame demonstrated the qualities required of a Supreme Court judge, including professional competence, integrity, fairness, and a strong commitment to the rule of law.
His nomination has now been forwarded to President William Ruto for formal appointment in line with Article 166 of the Constitution of Kenya.
The vacancy arose following the death of Mohammed Kadhar Ibrahim, a founding member of the apex court, whose contribution to constitutionalism and access to justice was described as exemplary.
The recruitment process, which began with the declaration of vacancy in January, attracted six applicants, with five shortlisted for interviews conducted at the Milimani Law Courts.
Koome said the process included stakeholder engagement across the legal profession, academia, civil society, faith-based organisations, government, and the media, alongside public submissions and comprehensive background checks conducted in collaboration with constitutional bodies and security agencies.
“Every step of this process was undertaken in strict compliance with the Constitution and guided by the principles of merit, integrity, fairness, inclusivity, and regional balance,” she said.
Strengthening Judiciary
The Commission also used the announcement to highlight a broader push to strengthen the Judiciary, revealing that 52 judges will have been appointed across three superior courts this year alone, the largest such expansion in recent history. This includes 15 judges to the Court of Appeal, 24 to the High Court, and 13 to the Environment and Land Court.
Koome said the expansion is aimed at addressing case backlogs and improving access to justice, noting that increased judicial capacity must translate into faster resolution of cases and improved service delivery.
In a move aimed at boosting accountability, the JSC further announced that beginning July 1, 2026, the Judiciary will start publishing individual performance data for judges and judicial officers under a structured framework designed to enhance transparency while safeguarding judicial independence.
“The Judiciary must remain accountable to the people of Kenya, who are the ultimate consumers and financiers of justice,” Koome said.