Ruto’s Former Lawyer Katwa Kigen Shortlisted for Supreme Court Role
A judge at the Court of Appeal, Justice Katwa Kigen, who previously worked as a lawyer for President William Ruto, has been shortlisted for a position at the Supreme Court.
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) made the announcement on Friday, March 27, revealing that five candidates have been selected to move forward in the recruitment process for the top court.
Justice Kigen is among those being considered for the important role at the country’s highest judicial level.
Other individuals who have been shortlisted include Anne Waceke Kiratu Makori, Justice Joseph Sergon, Justice Francis Kipruto Tuiyott, and Justice Abdulahi Mohammed Warsame.
These candidates will now proceed to the next stage, where they will face interviews as part of a competitive and transparent selection process.
Earlier, the JSC had announced that it received a total of six applications from interested candidates seeking to fill the vacant Supreme Court position.
After carefully reviewing all the applications to ensure they met the required qualifications and standards, the Commission reduced the list to five candidates who qualified for the interview stage.
The interviews are scheduled to take place on April 28 and 29, 2026. During this period, the shortlisted candidates will appear before the JSC panel, which will assess their experience, competence, integrity, and suitability for the role.
This process is designed to ensure that only the most qualified individual is selected to serve at the Apex Court.
The vacancy at the Supreme Court arose following the death of Justice Mohamed Ibrahim, who passed away on December 17 last year after battling illness for a long time. His death left a significant gap in the country’s top judicial bench, prompting the need for a replacement.
In line with its commitment to openness and accountability, the JSC has also invited members of the public to participate in the process.
The Commission encouraged Kenyans to submit any information, concerns, or feedback regarding any of the shortlisted candidates. This move is aimed at promoting transparency and ensuring public confidence in the selection process.
The Commission further stated that any member of the public who provides information may be invited for further engagement, including interviews, and assured that all submissions will be handled with strict confidentiality.
Once the interview process is completed, the JSC will select its preferred candidate and forward the name to President William Ruto. The President will then make the formal appointment in accordance with the Constitution.
Justice Katwa Kigen’s inclusion on the shortlist comes shortly after his recent appointment to the Court of Appeal. He was sworn in as an appellate judge on January 27, 2026, marking a significant step in his judicial career.
Before joining the bench, Kigen built a strong reputation as a lawyer and was part of President Ruto’s legal team in several high-profile cases.
Notably, he was involved in defending Ruto at the International Criminal Court and also played a role in legal proceedings related to the 2022 presidential election petition.
His experience in both legal practice and the judiciary has now placed him among the key candidates being considered for one of the most influential positions in Kenya’s judicial system.
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