President William Ruto has presided over the swearing-in of 15 newly appointed judges of the Court of Appeal in a ceremony held at State House, Nairobi, marking a significant step in strengthening Kenya’s judicial system and improving access to justice.
The judges took their oaths of office in the presence of Chief Justice Martha Koome, senior members of the Judiciary, government officials, legal practitioners, and invited guests. Their appointment expands the appellate bench, which has for years struggled with an increasing backlog of cases due to limited judicial capacity.
Speaking during the ceremony, President Ruto congratulated the judges on their appointment and reminded them of the weight of responsibility that comes with serving on one of the country’s highest courts. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to respecting the independence of the Judiciary and upholding the rule of law as provided for in the Constitution.
The President noted that strengthening judicial institutions is critical to ensuring fairness, stability, and public confidence in governance. He said the addition of more judges to the Court of Appeal will help speed up the resolution of cases and reduce delays that often deny litigants timely justice.
“These appointments are about the people of Kenya,” Ruto said, adding that justice delayed undermines trust in institutions and weakens democracy. He urged the judges to dispense justice impartially, without fear or favour, and to remain guided by the Constitution and the law at all times.
The appointments were made following recommendations by the Judicial Service Commission, which conducted a rigorous recruitment process involving interviews, vetting, and integrity checks. The process is aimed at ensuring that only qualified and competent individuals are elevated to the superior courts.
The newly sworn-in judges come from diverse professional backgrounds, including experienced High Court judges and senior advocates of the High Court of Kenya. Their collective expertise is expected to strengthen the Court of Appeal’s ability to handle complex legal and constitutional matters.
Chief Justice Martha Koome welcomed the judges to the appellate bench and said the expansion of the court is a major boost to the Judiciary’s reform agenda. She observed that the Court of Appeal plays a critical role in shaping Kenya’s jurisprudence and resolving disputes of great public importance.
The Chief Justice noted that the increased number of judges will allow the court to sit in more panels simultaneously, thereby accelerating the hearing and determination of appeals. This, she said, will ease pressure on litigants who have waited for years to have their cases concluded.
Legal stakeholders have also welcomed the development, saying it will help address long-standing challenges such as case backlogs in areas including commercial disputes, land cases, constitutional petitions, and election-related appeals. Many observers view the move as timely, especially as the country prepares for future electoral cycles that often generate complex legal disputes.
The Court of Appeal is Kenya’s second-highest court and hears appeals from the High Court and other specialised courts. Its decisions have far-reaching implications on governance, business, human rights, and constitutional interpretation.
With the new judges now formally in office, expectations are high that the Judiciary will deliver faster, more efficient, and credible justice. The swearing-in ceremony marked not just a milestone for the judges themselves, but also a renewed commitment by the state to support an independent and effective justice system.
As the judges take up their duties, Kenyans will be watching closely to see how the strengthened appellate court improves the delivery of justice and reinforces public trust in the rule of law.
