President William Ruto has made a major move in Kenya’s judiciary by appointing 37 new judges to both the High Court of Kenya and the Environment and Land Court (ELC).
This decision is seen as a key step toward reducing the growing backlog of cases that has left many Kenyans waiting for years to have their disputes resolved.
The appointments were officially published in a gazette notice on April 24, 2026. They were made under Article 166(1)(b) of the Constitution of Kenya, which gives the President the legal authority to formally appoint judges after recommendations are made.
Out of the 37 new appointments, 24 judges have been assigned to serve in the High Court. Some of the notable names in this group include Robinson Ondieki Kebabe, Joyce Mkambe Gandani, Joseph Maloba Were, Roseline Akinyi Oganyo, and Paul Kipkosgei Rotich.
Others joining the High Court bench are Dickson Odhiambo Onyango, Alex Kimanzi Ithuku, Martha Wanzila Mutuku, Benard Wafula Murunga, Francis Nyungu Kyambia, and Letizia Muthoni Wachira Rwiga.
The list continues with Kennedy Lenkamai Kandet, Richard Kipkemoio Koech, Emmanuel Omondi Bitta, David Wanjohi Mburu, Dominic Kipkemoio Rono, Winnie Narasha Molonko, and Judith Chelangat Mutai.
Completing the High Court appointments are Joseph Kipkoech Biomdo, Anne Mary Auma Okutoyi, Abdi Mohamud Hassan, Nabil Mokaya Orina, Patricia Naeku Leparashao, and Catherine Akaigwa Kassim, bringing the total to 24 judges.
In addition, 13 judges have been appointed to the Environment and Land Court. These include John Walter Wanyonyi, Jecinta Atieno Orwa, Peter Muneeno Musyimi, Cyprian Mugambi Ngyathari, and Charity Chebii Oluoch.
The remaining appointees are Elena Gathoni Nderitu, Gerhard Gitonga Muchege, Charles Nchore Ondieki, Dr. Robert Omondi Owino, Bellinda Akoth Akello, Lillian Tsuma Lewa, Ben Mark Ekhubi, and Josphat Ngeria Kuyioni.
These appointments follow an extensive and highly competitive recruitment process carried out by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). The vacancies were first announced on June 9, 2025, covering positions across three major courts in the country.
The response from Kenya’s legal community was overwhelming. For the High Court positions alone, the JSC received 377 applications, out of which only 100 candidates were shortlisted.
The Court of Appeal of Kenya attracted 95 applicants, with 35 making it to the shortlist stage. Meanwhile, the Environment and Land Court received 243 applications, and 50 candidates were shortlisted.
All shortlisted candidates underwent a detailed and transparent public interview process before the JSC finalized its recommendations for appointment.
Earlier in the process, the Court of Appeal vacancies were handled first. On January 28, President Ruto appointed 15 judges to that court, filling important gaps in Kenya’s second-highest judicial body. However, those promotions created new vacancies in the lower courts.
Specifically, four High Court judges and two ELC judges were promoted to the Court of Appeal, while one ELC judge retired during the process. These changes created additional openings that have now been filled by the latest appointments.
According to the Judicial Service Commission, these new additions will significantly strengthen the judiciary and improve service delivery to citizens.
Once the appointments take effect, the number of High Court judges will increase from 91 to 115. At the same time, the number of judges in the Environment and Land Court will rise from 48 to 61.
Overall, this expansion is expected to ease pressure on the courts, speed up the handling of cases, and ensure that more Kenyans can access justice in a timely and efficient manner.
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