Chief Justice Martha Koome has sworn in Supreme Court Judge Njoki Ndung’u and Chief Magistrate Everlyne Olwande as new members of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
Koome presided over the inauguration of the two at a brief ceremony at JSC offices on Tuesday morning.
Justice Ndung’u joins the Commission as the Supreme Court’s representative, while Olwande takes up the seat representing Magistrates.
Ndung’u was elected as the Judiciary’s representative to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), filling the vacancy left by the late Justice Mohammed Ibrahim.
Justice Ndung’u was chosen in an election conducted by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), in line with the Judicial Service Act, which requires the Judiciary to nominate a replacement within 21 days whenever a seat falls vacant.
The poll was overseen by IEBC Returning Officer Swalhah Yusuf.
The position fell vacant following the death of Justice Ibrahim on December 17, 2025, after a long illness.
He served both on the Supreme Court and the JSC and was widely regarded as a central figure in strengthening judicial independence and constitutional jurisprudence after the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution.
Justice Ndung’u, who joined the Supreme Court in 2011, is among the court’s longest-serving judges.
The Judicial Service Commission is established under Article 171(2) of the Constitution and is mandated to manage and oversee the Judiciary.
Its membership includes the Chief Justice as chairperson, judges from the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court and the Magistracy, alongside the Attorney General, representatives of the Law Society, a Public Service Commission nominee and two non-lawyer members appointed by the President with parliamentary approval to represent the public interest.
