By Andrew Kariuki
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has shortlisted six candidates for the position of Judge of the Supreme Court of Kenya, with the inclusion of Justice Joseph Kipchumba Kigen Katwa drawing particular attention due to his recent appointment to the Court of Appeal.
In a notice dated February 25, 2026, the Commission confirmed that it had received six applications for the vacancy, which was advertised on January 27, 2026. The applications closed on February 17, 2026.
Among those listed is Justice Katwa Kigen, a former lawyer to President William Ruto, who was only recently appointed as a Judge of the Court of Appeal.
He was one of the lawyers who saved President William Ruto and Uhuru Kmyatta from ICC jaws. Others were DP Kithure Kindiki and Khan.
His swift emergence as a candidate for the country’s highest court has sparked interest within legal and political circles, given the proximity of the two developments.
The other applicants include Justice Joseph Kiplagat Sergon, Justice Warsame Abdulahi Mohammed, Justice Francis Kipruto Tuiyott, Anne Waceke Makori, and Lilian Wanjiku Wachira.
The JSC has indicated that it will conduct a stakeholder engagement forum on March 23, 2026, ahead of the shortlisting process. Following this, the Commission will announce interview dates for candidates who make it to the final shortlist.
The recruitment comes at a time when the judiciary is under increased public scrutiny, particularly on issues of independence, integrity, and transparency in appointments to senior judicial positions.
Justice Katwa Kigen’s candidacy is expected to attract significant attention, not only because of his recent elevation to the Court of Appeal, but also due to his past legal work representing President Ruto in high-profile matters. His possible elevation to the Supreme Court would mark one of the fastest career progressions within the judiciary in recent years.
The Supreme Court of Kenya sits at the apex of the country’s judicial system and is tasked with determining presidential election petitions, constitutional disputes, and appeals from lower courts.
The JSC has not yet indicated when the final appointment will be made, but the process is expected to involve public vetting and rigorous interviews aimed at assessing the suitability of each candidate for the prestigious role.
