15 Judges Sworn In at Court of Appeal in State House Ceremony

Former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chair Issack Hassan and advocate Katwa Kigen are among 15 judges who have officially been sworn in as judges of the Court of Appeal.

The ceremony, held at State House, was presided over by President William Ruto, Chief Justice Martha Koome, and senior officials from the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

Dressed in maroon ceremonial robes with black waist stripes and matching scarves, the new judges took the oath to uphold the Constitution and discharge their duties without fear, favour, or bias.

Their appointments were formalised through a Gazette Notice issued on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, by President 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 notice read.

The newly 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 appointments followed a rigorous recruitment and vetting process conducted by the JSC under Chief Justice Koome, and overseen by Attorney General Dorcas Oduor. The process included public interviews, integrity assessments, and professional evaluations to ensure the candidates’ suitability for the appellate bench.