JSC nominates 37 judges for High Court and the Environment and Land Court
JSC nominates 37 judges for High Court and the Environment and Land Court
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has nominated 37 candidates for appointment as judges of the High Court and the Environment and Land Court, marking a major step in efforts to strengthen Kenya’s Judiciary.
The announcement, made on Friday, April 10, follows the conclusion of a rigorous recruitment and selection process that attracted hundreds of applicants across the two courts.
Chief Justice Martha Koome said the process was highly competitive, with 377 applications received for the High Court and 243 for the Environment and Land Court.
Out of these, 100 candidates were shortlisted for High Court positions and 50 for the Environment and Land Court before the final list of nominees was settled.
The commission increased the number of High Court positions from 20 to 24 and those for the Environment and Land Court from 10 to 13 to address emerging vacancies and reduce case backlog.
Among the nominees for the High Court is state counsel Emmanuel Omondi Bitta, who transitions from the Attorney General’s office to the Judiciary.
For the Environment and Land Court, Bellinda Akoth Akello, who stood out during the interviews and drew public attention for her articulate and confident oratory skills, has also secured a spot.
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The shortlist also features several magistrates, including Milimani-based judicial officers such as Ben Mark Ekhubi, Martha Mutuku, and Letizia Wachira, who will now join the bench.
Koome observed that the expansion of judicial capacity is aimed at improving the judge-to-case ratio and accelerating the hearing and determination of cases.
She noted that the move is expected to significantly ease the case backlog while enhancing access to justice across the country.
Addressing concerns over corruption, Koome issued a firm warning following a recent survey by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) that flagged integrity challenges within the public sector, including the Judiciary.
“Our position is simple and firm: we do not tolerate corruption. And we will act wherever integrity is compromised,” she said, adding that the Judiciary has already initiated a structured review of the findings in collaboration with the anti-graft body.
Nonetheless, the 37 names will now proceed to President William Ruto, who is expected to formally appoint them before they are sworn into office.
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