Kenya Minute.
Thursday, 30 April 2026
Kenya’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Thursday, 30 April 2026
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Organization

Court of Appeal

Also known as: Court of Appeal in Malindi

Court of Appeal — Kenya's appellate court that has issued recent rulings on abortion rights, teacher internships, and Supreme Court nominations.

Politics

Nairobi court acquits Sonko of money laundering, orders defence on tender fraud

The News

A Nairobi court has cleared former Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko of money laundering charges, ruling the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence, but found he has a case to answer on charges related to the alleged irregular award of tenders during his tenure at City Hall.

Why it matters

Sonko's acquittal on money laundering but ordered to stand trial on tender fraud charges is a significant development in the high-profile case.

30 April 2026 · Capital News

Wednesday 29 April

  1. Nairobi court acquits Sonko of money laundering, orders defence on tender fraud

    A Nairobi court has cleared former Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko of money laundering charges, ruling the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence, but found he has a case to answer on charges related to the alleged irregular award of tenders during his tenure at City Hall.

    30 April 2026 · Capital News

  2. JSC nominates Warsame to replace Ibrahim at Supreme Court

    The Judicial Service Commission has nominated Court of Appeal Judge Mohamed Warsame to replace Justice Mohammed Ibrahim at the Supreme Court, with Chief Justice Martha Koome noting that Warsame demonstrated competence and integrity in two-day interviews.

    30 April 2026 · The Standard

  3. Court of Appeal Judge nominated for Supreme Court vacancy

    The Judicial Service Commission has nominated Court of Appeal Judge Mohamed Warsame to replace Justice Mohammed Ibrahim at the Supreme Court, with the judge emerging tops in two-day interviews. Chief Justice Martha Koome said Justice Warsame demonstrated competence and integrity for the position.

    30 April 2026 · The Standard

Yesterday

  1. JSC nominates Court of Appeal judge to Supreme Court vacancy

    The Judicial Service Commission has nominated Court of Appeal Judge Mohamed Abdulahi Warsame for appointment to the Supreme Court to fill the vacancy left by late Justice Mohammed Kadhar Ibrahim, following a competitive, publicly conducted recruitment process with six applications, five shortlisted candidates, and consultation with stakeholders across the legal profession, civil society, and security agencies.

    29 April 2026 · Capital News

  2. JSC to name Supreme Court judge nominee within seven days

    The Judicial Service Commission has concluded interviews for five shortlisted candidates for a vacant Supreme Court position and will announce its nominee within seven days, with the selected candidate to be forwarded to President William Ruto for appointment. The vacancy followed the death of Supreme Court judge Mohamed Ibrahim in December.

    29 April 2026 · Capital News

  3. Court of Appeal judge urges scrutiny of consent in FGM cases

    Justice Francis Tuiyott, appearing before the Judicial Service Commission for vetting for a Supreme Court position, has called for deeper examination of whether adult consent in Female Genital Mutilation cases is truly voluntary or influenced by cultural and societal pressures. He argued that judges must balance personal autonomy with the broader social context when considering FGM laws.

    29 April 2026 · The Standard

  4. Warsame criticises new judicial review rules as constitutional rollback

    Justice Mohamed Warsame has warned that new rules operationalising the Fair Administrative Action Act, spearheaded by Chief Justice Martha Koome, risk narrowing judicial review and rolling back gains secured by the 2010 Constitution. He appeared before the Judicial Service Commission to argue that the reforms shift the framework from its post-2010 evolution as a constitutional mechanism for enforcing rights and fairness to a narrower process-focused doctrine.

    29 April 2026 · The Standard

  5. Justice Warsame nominated to Supreme Court, eyes Mandera governor race

    Justice Mohammed Warsame, nominated to the Supreme Court by the Judicial Service Commission, has served at the Court of Appeal since 2012 and suggests Supreme Court judges should be regularly deployed to courts nationwide to address corruption. He has also revealed political ambitions to potentially run for Mandera governor after retiring from the Judiciary.

    29 April 2026 · The Standard

Monday 27 April

  1. Court of Appeal judge addresses impartiality concerns at Supreme Court interview

    Justice Joseph Katwa Kigen appeared before the Judicial Service Commission to address concerns over his impartiality should he be appointed to the Supreme Court, given his previous role as lawyer to President William Ruto. He assured commissioners he would remain neutral and strictly adhere to the law in presidential election petitions.

    28 April 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. Judge Kigen dismisses bias concerns over ICC role defending Ruto

    Court of Appeal Judge Katwa Kigen told the Judicial Service Commission that his previous role defending President Ruto at the ICC would not compromise his impartiality if appointed to the Supreme Court, stating that past professional engagements do not influence judicial decisions and that recusal safeguards exist to address conflicts of interest.

    28 April 2026 · Capital News

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