President William Ruto has appointed Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) Chairperson Ahmed Issack Hassan, lawyer Katwa Kigen, and 13 others as judges of the Court of Appeal.
In a gazette notice, the Head of State said the appointments were made under Gazette Notice No. 1000 and are anchored in Article 166 (1) (b) of the Constitution of Kenya, which grants the President authority to appoint judges of superior courts.
“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 – Hedwig Imbosa Ong’udi, Mathews Nduma Nderi, Linnet Mumo Ndolo, Enock Chacha Mwita, Lucy Mwihaki Njuguna, Samson Odhiambo Okongo, Rachel Chepkoech Ngetich, Joseph Kipchumba Kigen Katwa, Stephen Andersen Radido Okiyo, Brown Murungi Kairaria, Ahmed Issack Hassan, Paul Lilan, Munyao Sila, Johnson Okoth Okello, Byram Ongaya, to be Judges of the Court of Appeal,” the notice read.
This comes days after the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) nominated the 15 individuals to be appointed as Court of Appeal judges.
In a statement, JSC said it nominated 15 judges after concluding a rigorous and highly competitive interview process on Wednesday, January 21.
“The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has concluded the recruitment and selection process for 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,” read part of the statement.
JSC said the recruitment process was rigorous and transparent and included public advertisement of vacancies, public participation before shortlisting.
“The recruitment process was rigorous, transparent, competitive, and transmitted live. It also comprised public advertisement of vacancies, public participation before shortlisting, public interviews, and comprehensive vetting undertaken in line with the Constitution, the Judicial Service Act, and applicable regulations,” JSC added.
