Issack Hassan resigns as Ipoa chair

 The Chairperson of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa) Issack Hassan has resigned.

Issack and 14 others were sworn in as Court of Appeal judges three weeks ago.

The former chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), had been leading Ipoa since 2024.

"Following this development, the vice chairperson Anne Mwangi will henceforth preside over the Board of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority as the process of filling the position of chairperson commences, pursuant to Section 11 of Cap 86 of the Laws of Kenya and paragraph 4 of the Second Schedule to the Act," a statement from Ipoa says.

The transition is being conducted according to the law.

Ipoa is established under the Independent Policing Oversight Authority Act, to provide for civilian oversight over the work of the National Police Service (NPS).

President William Ruto presided over the swearing in of  the15 judges at State House.

The judges were appointed on January 27, following interviews.

The appointments were made under Gazette Notice No 1000 and are anchored in Article 166 (1) (b) of the constitution, which grants the President authority to appoint judges of superior courts.

The new appellate judges include seasoned jurists drawn from the High Court, senior advocates and legal professionals.

Alongside Issack, Hedwig Imbosa Ong’udi, Mathews Nduma Nderi, Linnet Mumo Ndolo, Enock Chacha Mwita, Lucy Mwihaki Njuguna, Samson Odhiambo Okongo and Rachel Chepkoech Ngetich were sworn in.

President Ruto’s longtime lawyer Katwa Kigen, Paul Lilan, Munyao Sila, Johnson Okoth Okello and Byram Ongaya also featured on the list.

The appointments raise the number of judges in the Court of Appeal, the second-highest court in Kenya, from 27 to 42.

This expansion aims to bolster judicial capacity and speed up the handling of appellate cases, which have long faced delays due to high caseloads.

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) initiated the process, conducting public interviews and vetting candidates in line with constitutional requirements.

The selection process involved public advertising of vacancies, public participation before shortlisting, open interviews and thorough vetting based on professional competence, communication skills, integrity, fairness and legal experience.

Chief Justice Martha Koome described the recruitment process as “rigorous, transparent and competitive,” saying the new judges will help reduce case backlogs and improve access to justice.