Also known as: JSC
Constitutional body responsible for judicial appointments, discipline, and management; recently appointed new registrar and faced multiple legal challenges over removal procedures.
News reports
Order a long-term news report on Judicial Service Commission
Every mention in the Kenyan press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
Citizen Digital
… As the Romans would say, 'Memento mori.'" Njeru, a Senior Advocate of the High Court who also served as Vice Chairperson of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), led IPOA from its inception in 2012 through 2018. …
Ex-IPOA boss Macharia Njeru alleges past threats amid mounting pressure on Ruto over State interferenceCitizen Digital
… Atambo insists that any complaints against judges and magistrates should be presented before the Judicial Service Commission, the body mandated under the Constitution to investigate and determine disciplinary complaints against judicial officers. …
Chief Magistrate Stella Atambo seeks orders to stop LSK boycott of court proceedingsThe Standard
… icated to the public by a constitutional commission acting in the discharge of its statutory mandate,” EACC’s lead investigator Kipkirui Yegon replied.Attorney General Dorcas Oduor argued that although Kinyua raised concern that he was suspended by the Judicial Service Commission …
Court urged to dismiss Kangema magistrate's bid to block prosecutionThe Standard
… The court instead deferred the matter to Monday, August 3, 2026 for mention and further directions after being informed that a meeting between the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) led by Chief Justice Koome and LSK leadership led by President Charles Kanjama had commenced at 10: …
Court declines to suspend LSK boycottThe Standard
Audio By VocalizeThe Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has defended its boycott of selected judges and judicial officers, saying the action will remain in force until the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) addresses their concerns. …
LSK holds firm on judges' boycott amid access to justice concernsCapital News
… The criminal charges come just days after Chief Justice and Judicial Service Commission (JSC) Chairperson Martha Koome suspended Mutegi from judicial duties pending disciplinary proceedings. …
DPP approves bribery charges against Kangema Magistrate, Probation OfficerThe Standard
… The Judicial Service Commission must inspire confidence by dealing transparently with allegations of misconduct. …
When Justice Wears a Blindfold... and EarplugsThe Standard
… create the impression that lawful court orders can be overturned through a boycott, setting a dangerous precedent to the rule of law and thereby undermining the proper administration of justice," Kamotho states in the petition.The lawyer has named the Judicial Service Commission …
Lawyer seeks orders to suspend court boycottThe Standard
… onal boycott by advocates of our courts and a resolve to permanently boycott the proceedings by certain judicial officers, signified an extra-legal but very necessary measure in pushing for what has appeared untenable through the normal pipeline of the Judicial Service Commission …
It is time for Kenya to rethink judicial accountability designThe Standard
… SK) said courts presided over by Justices Lucas Naikuni and Anthony Abwayo were affected as the lawyers' decision not to appear before them entered its second day.LSK Mombasa branch chair Ms Natasha Errey said the two judges obtained orders barring the Judicial Service Commission …
Day two of lawyers boycottMacharia Njeru, former chairman of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority and a constitutional lawyer, has declared his intention to contest for the presidency in 2027 on a Mwongozo Mpya Party ticket, pledging to bring political and economic changes and join the opposition against President William Ruto.
28 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Macharia Njeru, former chairman of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority and a constitutional lawyer, has declared his intention to contest for the presidency in 2027 on a Mwongozo Mpya Party ticket, pledging to bring political and economic changes and join the opposition against President William Ruto.
28 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has filed a petition at the High Court's Constitutional and Human Rights Division seeking to invalidate the June 24, 2021 judgment that upheld his impeachment, citing alleged violations of judicial independence and his right to a fair hearing. Sonko's application references subsequent proceedings against former High Court Judge Said Chitembwe, who was part of the three-judge bench that determined his impeachment case.
19 October 2026 · The Standard →
Chief Justice Martha Koome has rejected a bid by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission to have her and Justice Mohammed Warsame recuse themselves from a Supreme Court case challenging judges' Sh10 million taxable car allowance. The SRC, which expressed concerns about the judges' impartiality based on their previous involvement in Judicial Service Commission discussions and alleged remarks by Koome, cited the need for impartiality in the dispute.
14 October 2026 · The Standard →
Kenya's Employment and Labour Relations Court has ruled that a letter to the Chief Justice cannot form the basis for removing a judge or be forwarded to the Judicial Service Commission as a removal petition, in a case filed by Environment and Land Court Judge Anthony Ombwayo.
7 October 2026 · The Standard →
Kenya's High Court has halted a Judicial Service Commission decision to petition the President to appoint a tribunal to investigate Justice Anthony Ombwayo. A three-judge bench found the JSC's move was not properly considered and contrary to constitutional provisions.
5 October 2026 · Capital News →
The Judicial Service Commission's failure to hold a preliminary assessment meeting and to entertain a blanket petition to remove all judges except Justice Smokin Wanjala led to the collapse of a removal plot against the Supreme Court.
3 October 2026 · The Standard →
The High Court has quashed removal notices issued by the Judicial Service Commission to seven Supreme Court judges, ruling that the JSC failed to undertake required preliminary assessment and violated constitutional fair procedure rights.
2 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The High Court has quashed notices issued by the Judicial Service Commission requiring seven Supreme Court judges, including Chief Justice Martha Koome, to respond to complaints seeking their removal, finding the commission failed to conduct a preliminary assessment before starting the removal process.
2 October 2026 · Capital News →
The Law Society of Kenya has reaffirmed its targeted boycott of selected courts, affecting about fifteen judicial officers including six Supreme Court judges, until the Judicial Service Commission makes progress on judicial accountability and integrity reforms. The boycott continues citing stalled implementation of commitments including an electronic complaint-tracking system, court station integrity committees, and judicial performance reporting mechanisms.
26 September 2026 · Capital News →
The Supreme Court has lifted recusal orders that barred four judges from handling a Ksh.4.5 billion dispute involving former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju, his family, Dari Limited and the East African Development Bank. The judges had recused themselves in 2024 after a bias complaint was lodged with the Judicial Service Commission, but the Court found that circumstances had changed, reviving a legal battle stalled for nearly two years.
25 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The Law Society of Kenya has renewed its call for advocates to boycott selected courts and judicial officers, citing unfulfilled commitments from the Judicial Service Commission on judicial accountability. LSK President Charles Kanjama said the targeted boycott remains in force and members should refrain from appearing before judges and officers identified by the society.
25 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The Judiciary and Judicial Service Commission are inviting members of the public and stakeholders to participate in developing the Financial Year 2027/28 budget and expenditure framework proposals through public participation forums across multiple counties, allowing citizens to share experiences and priorities regarding justice delivery.
23 September 2026 · The Standard →
A retired Warrant Officer II has petitioned the Judicial Service Commission over a Milimani court's February 26 ruling that awarded her Thome estate property, valued at Sh100 million, to another couple. The former soldier alleges the magistrate ignored DCI evidence of forged signatures and fraudulent documentation.
21 September 2026 · The Standard →
The High Court has dismissed the Law Society of Kenya's attempt to strike out a petition by lawyer Adrian Kamotho challenging the society's nationwide court boycott, ruling that the dispute raises serious constitutional questions about administration of justice and judicial independence that fall within the court's jurisdiction.
17 September 2026 · The Standard →
The Judicial Service Commission has appointed Robert Kibet Kibor as the new registrar, tasked with providing strategic leadership over the Commission's technical and shared services functions and supporting its constitutional mandate. Kibor is an Advocate of the High Court with fourteen years post-admission experience and has worked at the JSC since 2012, most recently as Assistant Director, Legal Services.
8 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The Judicial Service Commission has appointed Robert Kibet Kibor as its new Registrar following a competitive recruitment process. Kibor, an Advocate of the High Court with 14 years of post-admission experience, has served at the JSC since 2012 and most recently held the position of Assistant Director, Legal Services.
7 September 2026 · Capital News →
The Judicial Service Commission has appointed Robert Kibet Kibor as its new Registrar following a competitive recruitment process that began in January. Kibor, who has worked at the JSC since 2012 and most recently served as Assistant Director of Legal Services, will provide strategic leadership in managing the Commission's technical and shared services functions.
7 September 2026 · The Standard →
A lawyer has submitted a memorandum to Parliament requesting legislation that would allow ordinary Kenyans to challenge public institutions that fail to formulate regulations needed to implement laws passed by Parliament. The proposed Statutory Instruments (Amendment) Bill, 2024, now before the National Assembly, would address delays by government agencies; the advocate cited the Judicial Service Commission's failure to gazette complaints procedures against judges as an example of prolonged administrative inaction.
3 September 2026 · Capital News →
Advocate Ekaterina Handa has petitioned the National Assembly to pass the Statutory Instruments (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which would allow Kenyans to petition Parliament when public bodies fail to make regulations required to implement laws. Handa cited the Judicial Service Commission's failure to formulate and gazette regulations governing complaints against judges as an example of institutional inertia that the Bill would help prevent.
2 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Lawyer Joshua Nyamori has criticized Parliament as unwilling to enact laws that would cost MPs their privileges, describing it as the weak link in full implementation of the 2010 Constitution. He argued that public participation in Kenya remains a "tick-box exercise" rather than substantive consultation, and noted that a Public Participation Bill sponsored by Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo has come too late despite 16 years of constitutional governance.
27 August 2026 · The Standard →
Suspended Kangema Magistrate Martin Kinyua Mutegi has been charged with requesting a Sh170,000 bribe and receiving a Sh150,000 bribe to influence a convicted businessman's sentence. He pleaded not guilty before the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court and was released on Sh400,000 cash bail.
24 August 2026 · The Standard →
Kangema Principal Magistrate Martin Kinyua is expected to answer bribery charges after the High Court in Kerugoya declined to stop his prosecution. The magistrate had alleged he was publicly vilified before arraignment, but the DPP, AG and EACC urged the court to strike out his case, arguing he failed to appear before court twice and should raise his concerns at trial.
18 August 2026 · The Standard →
The Judiciary issued a public notice dismissing a letter purportedly signed by Chief Justice Martha Koome as fabricated, warning the public against using it to advance political narratives. The fake document, bearing the Supreme Court and Chief Justice office letterhead, falsely claims to address alleged attempts to interfere with the independence of the Supreme Court and names former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, former Chief Justice David Maraga, and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
17 August 2026 · Capital News →
Kenya's High Court has issued interim orders stopping the Law Society of Kenya from disrupting court proceedings pending the determination of a preliminary objection to the court's jurisdiction. Justice David Mburu said the orders were necessary to restore order within the Judiciary and ensure court operations continue without interference.
3 August 2026 · Capital News →
The High Court has issued conservatory orders restraining the Law Society of Kenya from disrupting court proceedings before Judges and Judicial Officers pending the hearing of a preliminary objection challenging the court's jurisdiction. Judge David Mburu said the orders were necessary to restore order within the Judiciary and ensure court proceedings continue without interference.
3 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The High Court has issued interim orders suspending the Law Society of Kenya's nationwide boycott against Chief Justice Martha Koome, Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu, and other judges and judicial officers over allegations of gross misconduct and corruption. The court barred LSK from disrupting court proceedings pending the hearing and determination of the case.
3 August 2026 · The Standard →
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission recovered a Sh55 million government house in Kizingo, Mombasa after an Environment and Land Court nullified a 99-year lease fraudulently and irregularly allocated to former senior resident magistrate Gilbert Mwangi Njuguna over two decades ago. The court also ordered Njuguna and three others to pay EACC Sh10 million in general damages for trespass on public land.
2 August 2026 · The Standard →
The Judicial Service Commission has defended its judicial accountability record, saying it received 506 complaints against judges this year and has processed 417 of them, while warning that the Law Society of Kenya's planned boycott of selected courts risks disrupting access to justice.
31 July 2026 · Capital News →
Chief Magistrate Stella Atambo has asked the High Court to stop the Law Society of Kenya from implementing a planned boycott of court proceedings before selected judicial officers, arguing the move is unconstitutional, discriminatory, and threatens access to justice.
31 July 2026 · Capital News →
The Judicial Service Commission has criticized lawyers' boycott of judges and judicial officers, saying it disrupts court proceedings and delays justice. Following a meeting with the Law Society of Kenya and Senior Counsel Bar, JSC Chairperson Martha Koome stated that judicial conduct concerns should be addressed through constitutional mechanisms, and both parties agreed to work together against corruption and unethical conduct.
31 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →