The Judicial Service Commission has nominated 24 judges for appointment to the High Court and 13 others to the Environment and Land Court (ELC), in a move aimed at strengthening judicial capacity and improving access to justice.
In a statement issued on April 10, the Commission, chaired by Chief Justice Martha Koome, said the nominations followed the conclusion of a rigorous and transparent recruitment process that attracted hundreds of applicants.
“The Commission has today concluded the recruitment and selection process of Judges of the High Court and Environment and Land Court,” Koome said.
The vacancies, initially advertised in June 2025, drew significant interest, with 377 applicants for the High Court and 243 for the ELC. From these, 100 and 50 candidates respectively were shortlisted for interviews, underscoring the competitiveness of the process.
The Commission explained that the number of positions was increased from 20 to 24 for the High Court and from 10 to 13 for the ELC to address emerging vacancies resulting from promotions and retirements within the judiciary.
“This decision was guided by the need to address gaps efficiently and avoid the cost and delay of initiating fresh recruitment processes,” the JSC noted, citing its mandate under the Judicial Service Act and relevant court rulings.
According to the Commission, the selection process adhered strictly to constitutional principles, including merit, integrity, gender equity, inclusivity, and regional balance. Candidates were evaluated on professional competence, communication skills, integrity, legal experience, and commitment to public service.
“The processes were rigorous, transparent, and competitive, and were conducted in full view of the public through live broadcast,” the statement said.
The names of the nominees have been forwarded to President William Ruto for formal appointment in accordance with Article 166(1)(b) of the Constitution.
Once appointed, the number of High Court judges will rise from 91 to 115, while those serving in the Environment and Land Court will increase from 48 to 61, significantly boosting the judiciary’s capacity to handle cases.
The Commission said the expansion is expected to improve the judge-to-case ratio, expedite hearings, and contribute to the reduction of case backlog.
“This expansion of judicial capacity will enhance access to justice by improving the judge-to-case ratio and expediting the hearing and determination of cases,” the JSC stated.
