President William Ruto has formally appointed 15 judges to Kenya’s Court of Appeal, a decision expected to strengthen the Court’s capacity, reduce backlog and enhance access to justice.
The appointments were announced through a Special gazette notice dated January 27, 2026 and will raise the bench to 42 judges which is still below its statutory capacity of 70.
The Appellate Court is Kenya’s second-highest court, that handles appeals from the High Court and other tribunals.
The 15 newly appointed judges include High Court Judges Enock Chacha Mwita, Rachel Chepkoech Ngetich, Lucy Mwihaki Njuguna, Linnet Mumo Ndolo and Hedwig Imbosa Ong’udi.
Others are Employment and Labour Relations Court Judges (Principal) Byram Ongaya, Mathews Nduma Nderi and Stephen Andersen Radido Okiyo and Environment and Land Court’s Sila Munyao and Samson Odhiambo Okongo.
Also in the list are lawyers Joseph Kipchumba Katwa Kigen, Brown Murungi Kairaria and Ahmed Issack Hassan, currently the Chairperson of Independent Policing Oversight Authority.
Capital Markets Chairperson Paul Lilan and Parliamentary Service Commission’s Director of Legal Services Johnson Okoth Okello.
