Katwa Kigen among six in Supreme Court race

Recently sworn in Court of Appeal judge Katwa Kigen is among six candidates seeking appointment as a judge of the Supreme Court of Kenya.

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) released the names of the applicants as part of the recruitment process to fill a vacancy at the apex court.

In a notice dated February 25, 2026, the JSC said it received six applications for the single vacancy it advertised on January 27, 2026. The advert closed on February 17.

The other five are justices Joseph Sergon, Warsame Abdulahi Mohammed and Francis Kipruto Tuiyott, as well as Anne Waceke Makori and Lilian Wachira.

“The commission plans to undertake a stakeholder engagement on 23rd March, 2026 ahead of the shortlisting process and thereafter will provide a notification of interview dates for shortlisted candidates. The venue for the stakeholders meeting will be communicated,” JSC said in the notice.

The recruitment follows the declaration of one vacancy at the Supreme Court, setting the stage for a competitive selection process that will ultimately determine the next occupant of the country’s highest judicial office.

Katwa is among 14 judges of the Court of Appeal who were sworn in on January 28 at State House.

The Court of Appeal judges were appointed on Tuesday, under Gazette Notice No 1000 and are anchored in Article 166 (1) (b) of the Constitution of Kenya, 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.

They include Hedwig Imbosa Ong’udi, Mathews Nduma Nderi, Linnet Mumo Ndolo, Enock Chacha Mwita, Lucy Mwihaki Njuguna, Samson Odhiambo Okongo and Rachel Chepkoech Ngetich.

Issack Hassan, former Ipoa chairman, Paul Lilan, Munyao Sila, Johnson Okoth Okello and Byram Ongaya also featured on the list.

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