The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has nominated 37 individuals for appointment as judges of the High Court and the Environment and Land Court, marking one of the largest expansions of Kenya’s judiciary in recent years.
In a statement released after concluding a rigorous recruitment process, the Commission announced that 24 nominees have been picked for the High Court, while 13 have been selected for the Environment and Land Court (ELC).
“The Judicial Service Commission has today concluded the recruitment and selection process of Judges of the High Court and Environment and Land Court,” the Commission said, noting that the exercise followed a highly competitive process that attracted hundreds of applicants.
According to the JSC, the vacancies advertised in June 2025 drew overwhelming interest, with 377 applications received for the High Court and 243 for the ELC.
From these, 100 and 50 candidates were shortlisted, respectively, before undergoing public interviews.
The Commission explained that the final number of positions was increased from the initially advertised 20 High Court and 10 ELC slots to 24 and 13, respectively, to address additional vacancies that arose during the process.
“To address these gaps efficiently and avoid the cost and delay of initiating fresh recruitment processes, the Commission invoked Rule 20(2)… guided by the High Court’s judgment in Petition E377 of 2022,” the statement read.
Among those nominated for the High Court are Robinson Ondieki, Roseline Akinyi, Paul Rotich, Joyce Mkambe and Emmanuel Omondi, among others.
For the Environment and Land Court, nominees include John Wanyonyi, Jecinta Atieno, Peter Musyimi, Cyprian Mugambi and Robert Owino.
The JSC emphasised that the selection process was conducted transparently, with interviews broadcast live and public participation incorporated at key stages.
“These processes were rigorous, transparent, and competitive, and were conducted in full view of the public,” the Commission stated, adding that candidates were assessed on merit, integrity, professional competence and commitment to the rule of law.
The Commission further noted that the nominations were guided by constitutional principles, including gender equity, inclusivity and regional balance.
Pursuant to Article 166(1)(b) of the Constitution, the names of the nominees have now been forwarded to William Ruto for formal appointment.
Upon approval, the number of High Court judges will rise from 91 to 115, while those in the Environment and Land Court will increase from 48 to 61.
“This expansion of judicial capacity will enhance access to justice by improving the judge-to-case ratio, expediting the hearing and determination of cases, and contributing to the sustained reduction of case backlog,” the Commission said.
The JSC congratulated the nominees and thanked all applicants and members of the public who participated in the process.
“The Judicial Service Commission reaffirms its unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law and to the effective, efficient, and transparent administration of justice,” it added.
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