JSC Nominates 37 New Judges, Including Belinda Akello, in Major Judiciary Expansion

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has announced the nomination of 37 candidates who are set to be appointed as judges to the High Court and the Environment and Land Court.

This development represents a significant step in Kenya’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the Judiciary and improve the delivery of justice across the country.

The announcement was made on Friday, April 10, following what the commission described as a detailed, competitive, and transparent recruitment process that attracted a large number of applicants from different legal backgrounds.

Chief Justice Martha Koome confirmed that the selection process was highly competitive, highlighting that the Judiciary received a total of 377 applications for positions in the High Court, while the Environment and Land Court attracted 243 applicants.

She noted that this strong interest reflects both the growing demand for judicial positions and confidence in the recruitment process.

From the large pool of applicants, the JSC shortlisted 100 candidates for High Court vacancies and 50 candidates for the Environment and Land Court.

After several stages of interviews, vetting, and evaluation, the commission finalized a list of successful nominees.

In a move aimed at strengthening judicial capacity and addressing rising workload pressures, the commission also increased the number of available positions. High Court slots were raised from 20 to 24, while positions in the Environment and Land Court were increased from 10 to 13. This adjustment was made to help deal with emerging vacancies and reduce the growing backlog of cases in the court system.

Among those nominated to the High Court is state counsel Emmanuel Omondi Bitta, who is transitioning from the Office of the Attorney General into the Judiciary. His appointment reflects the inclusion of experienced legal professionals from government service into the bench.

For the Environment and Land Court, one of the notable nominees is Bellinda Akoth Akello. She gained public attention during the interview process for her clear communication, confidence, and strong presentation skills, which made her stand out among many candidates.

Her nomination has been widely noted as part of the fresh intake of judges expected to improve efficiency in land and environmental dispute resolution.

The list also includes several serving magistrates, particularly those from the Milimani courts, such as Ben Mark Ekhubi, Martha Mutuku, and Letizia Wachira.

These judicial officers will now be elevated to serve as judges, bringing with them years of experience handling complex cases at the magistrate level.

Chief Justice Koome emphasized that expanding the Judiciary is not only about increasing numbers but also about improving efficiency.

She explained that the goal is to enhance the judge-to-case ratio so that cases can be heard and determined more quickly, reducing delays that have affected many litigants across the country.

She further added that this expansion is expected to significantly ease the long-standing case backlog and improve access to justice for ordinary citizens, businesses, and institutions seeking legal resolution.

At the same time, Koome addressed concerns about corruption within the public sector, including issues raised in a recent survey by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC). The survey had pointed out integrity challenges affecting various institutions, including the Judiciary.

In response, she gave a strong assurance that the Judiciary maintains a zero-tolerance stance on corruption. “Our position is simple and firm: we do not tolerate corruption.

And we will act wherever integrity is compromised,” she stated. She also confirmed that the Judiciary has already begun working closely with the anti-corruption agency to review and address the findings.

Finally, the 37 nominees will now be forwarded to President William Ruto for formal appointment. Once approved, they will be sworn in and officially join the Judiciary, marking the beginning of their service on the bench and strengthening Kenya’s judicial system further.

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