By James Murimi - Reporter
Kenya, 29 April 2026 - Chief Justice Martha Koome has nominated Court of Appeal Judge Mohamed Abdulahi Warsame to the Supreme Court, setting the stage for a pivotal appointment at Kenya’s highest court amid sweeping judicial reforms.
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC), chaired by Koome, announced the decision after a competitive and publicly scrutinised selection process to fill the vacancy left by the late Mohammed Kadhar Ibrahim.
The nominee’s name has been forwarded to President William Ruto for formal appointment as required under the Constitution.
Koome said the Commission settled on Justice Warsame after vetting candidates against strict constitutional thresholds, citing his “professional competence, integrity, and demonstrable commitment to the rule of law.”
The recruitment process drew national attention, with interviews conducted openly at the Milimani Law Courts and broadcast live, marking one of the most transparent judicial selection exercises in recent years. The JSC also invited public memoranda and undertook extensive background checks in collaboration with state agencies.
But even as the nomination signals continuity at the apex court, it also comes against the backdrop of an aggressive push to overhaul the Judiciary’s performance and public accountability.
In a significant shift, Koome announced that starting July 1, 2026, the Judiciary will publish individual performance records of judges and judicial officers — a move expected to expose productivity levels within the courts and address long-standing concerns over case backlogs.
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“Performance measurement is a critical accountability mechanism,” Koome said, adding that the new framework will enhance transparency while protecting judicial independence.
The Supreme Court nomination is part of a broader expansion drive that has seen the JSC move to significantly boost judicial capacity. In just months, the Commission has facilitated the appointment of 52 judges across the Court of Appeal, High Court, and Environment and Land Court — the largest such recruitment in recent history.
Legal observers say the scale of the appointments reflects mounting pressure on the Judiciary to clear case backlogs and improve access to justice.
Koome acknowledged the challenge, noting that the increased number of judges must deliver tangible results for Kenyans through faster case resolution and improved efficiency.
Justice Warsame, a seasoned appellate judge, is now poised to join the Supreme Court bench at a time when the institution faces heightened expectations to not only interpret the Constitution but also restore public confidence in the justice system.