Former lawyer for President William Ruto, Katwa Kigen, has responded to concerns from some Kenyans who believe his past connection with the Head of State could affect his ability to serve fairly as a Supreme Court judge, especially with the 2027 General Election approaching.
Kigen appeared before the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) on Tuesday, April 28, where he was being interviewed for the top judicial position.
During the session, he assured the panel that if appointed, he would carry out his duties with fairness, independence, and full respect for the Constitution and the law.
The concerns were raised in a formal letter dated April 8, 2026, in which a group of Kenyans questioned whether Kigen’s previous role as Ruto’s lawyer could influence his judgment if a presidential election petition involving Ruto reaches the Supreme Court after the 2027 elections.
Justice Fatuma Sichale addressed the matter directly during the interview, telling Kigen that some members of the public were worried that his previous professional ties with the President could make it difficult for him to remain neutral in such an important case.
She noted that many Kenyans had expressed doubts about his candidacy because Ruto is widely expected to seek re-election in 2027.
In his response, Kigen openly admitted that he had represented Ruto in the past but strongly denied that it would interfere with his work as a judge.
He said that if given the opportunity to join the apex court, he would be guided strictly by facts presented before the court and by the law, not by personal history or previous professional relationships.
Kigen further explained that many judges serving in the judiciary today were once practicing lawyers who represented different clients before joining the bench.
He argued that questioning his suitability solely because of one former client would amount to unfair treatment and discrimination.
He also pointed out that the judiciary already has clear legal procedures for dealing with concerns over bias or conflict of interest. According to him, if any party has genuine reasons to question his participation in a case, the law allows a judge to step aside through recusal.
Kigen added that even in the past, presidential petitions have sometimes been heard by fewer than the full seven judges of the Supreme Court. He noted that the court’s responsibilities go far beyond handling election disputes, as it deals with many other major constitutional and legal matters affecting the country.
Over the years, Kigen has represented Ruto in several high-profile cases, including serving on his defence team at the International Criminal Court (ICC) and also taking part in the legal battles surrounding the disputed 2022 presidential election results.
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