Ruto appoints ICC lawyer Katwa, 14 others to the Court of Appeal

IEBC lawyer Katwa Kigen submissions at the Supreme Court. [File, Standard]

President William Ruto has appointed 15 judges to the Court of Appeal, including his long-time lawyer Katwa Kigen, who defended him at The Hague.

The list also features the outgoing police oversight boss and several judges known for high-profile rulings that have both supported and challenged his administration.

The appointments, announced through a gazette notice on Tuesday, follow recommendations from the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) after a week-long public interview process that concluded on January 21, 2026.

Among the most notable appointments is Katwa, President Ruto’s trusted legal advisor and long-time friend, who stood by him during the darkest chapter of his political career, the International Criminal Court (ICC) trial.

Katwa represented Ruto when he faced crimes against humanity charges related to the 2007-2008 post-election violence, a legal battle that ultimately collapsed but cemented Katwa’s reputation as a formidable courtroom strategist.

Senior Counsel Katwa’s elevation from private practice to the appellate bench marks a major transition from advocate to arbiter, though some observers have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest given his close ties to the President.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by Article 166 (1) (b) of the Constitution, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint,” read the official gazette notice signed by the President.

Equally significant is the appointment of Issack Hassan, who steps down as chairperson of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to join the appellate bench.

Hassan, a former IEBC chair, presided over the contentious 2013 General Election and was linked to the widely publicized “Chickengate” scandal, which involved allegations of tender irregularities with a UK firm. While he was never convicted, the controversy has followed him throughout his career.

At IPOA, Hassan oversaw high-profile investigations into police misconduct, including brutality, extrajudicial killings and deaths in custody, establishing him as a prominent voice for accountability in Kenya’s often-troubled security sector.

Another notable appointment is Justice Enock Chacha Mwita, whose tenure at Milimani High Court was marked by headline-grabbing rulings that frequently challenged government projects and other high-value, politically sensitive cases.

Justice Mwita’s readiness to rule against executive priorities, even on matters close to the President’s agenda, has made him one of Kenya’s most closely watched judges.

Also elevated is Justice Lucy Njuguna, who headed the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Division at the Milimani High Court and presided over the corruption case against jailed former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu among other cases. 

Others, including Justice Mathews Nduma Nderi, formerly the Principal Judge of the Employment and Labour Relations Court, who brings wide experience in labour jurisprudence, while Justice Byram Ongaya, also from the same court, is known for landmark decisions on workers’ rights and public service employment.

Other judges include Stephen Radido, Linnet Ndolo and Rachel Chepkoech Ngetich, who were serving in the Employment and Labour Relations Court while Justice Hedwig Imbosa Ong’udi was stationed at the High Court in Nakuru, handling criminal, civil and constitutional matters in various stations across the country. 

Justice Munyao Sila, a veteran land and environment law judge, has presided over some of the most complex land disputes involving state agencies alongside Justice Samson Odhiambo Okongo. who also served at the same court.

From private practice and public service are Brown Murungi Kairaria, Paul Lilan and Johnson Okoth Okello. Their appointment by the President follows a recommendation by the JSC, led by Chief Justice Koome, which forwarded their names to President Ruto after completing the selection process last Thursday. 

With these appointments, the Court of Appeal’s strength increases from 27 to 42 judges, a 56 percent expansion aimed at tackling the court’s backlog.

According to the State of the Judiciary and Administration of Justice (SOJAR) Report for FY 2023/24, the Court of Appeal had 5,822 pending cases as of June 2024, down from 6,942 the previous year. 

Overall, the entire judiciary reduced its total pending caseload from 272,678 to 244,267 during the same period.

The fifteen judges now await their swearing-in ceremony, after which they will assume their positions on the appellate bench and begin hearing cases that will shape Kenya’s constitutional, political, and economic trajectory for years to come.