The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) received six applications for the vacant position of Supreme Court judge.

JSC advertised the single vacancy on January 27, 2026, with applications closed on February 17, 2026.

In a notice issued on February 25, 2026, the Commission listed the applicants as:

1. Justice Joseph Kiplagat Sergon
2. Justice Warsame Abdulahi Mohammed
3. Justice Joseph Kipchumba Kigen Katwa
4. Justice Francis Kipruto Tuiyott
5. Anne Waceke Kiratu Makori
6. Lilian Wanjiku Wachira

“The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) advertised one (1) vacancy for the position of Judge of the Supreme Court of Kenya on 27th January 2026. By closure of the advert on 17th February 2026, the Commission received a total of six (6) applications,” the JSC stated.

Court of Appeal judges

Four of the applicants serve as judges in the Court of Appeal, including Justices Sergon, Mohammed, Katwa, and Tuiyott. The vacancy arose after the death of Justice Mohamed Khadhar Ibrahim on December 17, 2025. Justice Joseph Kipchumba Kigen Katwa, a recent appointee to the Court of Appeal, stands out among the candidates.

President William Ruto appointed him to the appellate bench on January 27, 2026, and Chief Justice Martha Koome deployed him to the Nyeri station shortly after. Katwa previously represented Ruto in major cases, including at the International Criminal Court and in the 2022 presidential election petition.

The JSC plans to hold a stakeholder engagement on March 23, 2026 before shortlisting candidates.

“The Commission plans to undertake a stakeholder engagement on 23rd March, 2026 ahead of the shortlisting process and thereafter will provide a notification of interview dates for shortlisted candidates. The venue for the stakeholders meeting will be communicated,” the notice added.

After interviews, the JSC will recommend candidates to the president for appointment, subject to parliamentary approval. The Supreme Court will then return to its full complement of seven judges.