Kenya Minute.
Friday, 8 May 2026
Kenya’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Friday, 8 May 2026
Nairobi—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Person

Katwa Kigen

Also known as: Court of Appeal judge Katwa Kigen · Justice Katwa Kigen · Justice Kigen · Judge Katwa Kigen · Kigen · Justice Joseph Katwa Kigen

Court of Appeal Judge seeking Supreme Court appointment; previously represented President Ruto as lawyer and at ICC.

Court of Appeal Judge Katwa Kigen was interviewed by the Judicial Service Commission as a candidate for a vacant Supreme Court position, facing scrutiny over his past work as lawyer for President William Ruto and concerns about judicial impartiality. During vetting, Kigen acknowledged public concerns but argued his previous legal representation would not compromise his neutrality, and stated he would be guided by facts and law in any disputes involving the President.

2026-04-242026-05-09
Share on WhatsApp
Politics

Justice Warsame sworn as Supreme Court judge at State House

The News

Justice Mohamed Abdulahi Warsame has been sworn in as a Judge of the Supreme Court following his nomination by the Judicial Service Commission and appointment by President William Ruto. His appointment fills the vacancy left by the death of Supreme Court Judge Mohammed Kadhar Ibrahim in December 2025.

Why it matters

Justice Warsame sworn as Supreme Court judge fills vacancy and represents judicial continuity after Judge Ibrahim's death; institutional significance.

7 May 2026 · Capital News →

Yesterday

  1. Justice Warsame sworn as Supreme Court judge at State House

    Justice Mohamed Abdulahi Warsame has been sworn in as a Judge of the Supreme Court following his nomination by the Judicial Service Commission and appointment by President William Ruto. His appointment fills the vacancy left by the death of Supreme Court Judge Mohammed Kadhar Ibrahim in December 2025.

    7 May 2026 · Capital News →

  2. Mohamed Warsame sworn in as Supreme Court judge

    Justice Mohamed Warsame was sworn in as a Supreme Court judge on Thursday at State House, Nairobi, following his nomination by the Judicial Service Commission. Warsame, 58, will serve for 12 years and replaces Justice Mohamed Ibrahim, who died in December 2025.

    7 May 2026 · The Standard →

Tuesday 28 April

  1. 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 →

  2. Judge Kigen faces scrutiny over Ruto ties in Supreme Court vetting

    Court of Appeal Judge Katwa Kigen was questioned during Supreme Court judge interviews over his association with President William Ruto and concerns about impartiality, as well as his limited judicial experience. The legal principle "nemo iudex in causa sua" (one cannot be a judge in his own case) was raised as an objection to his candidacy.

    29 April 2026 · The Standard →

  3. Court of Appeal Judge Kigen faces objections over Ruto links

    Court of Appeal Judge Katwa Kigen's bid for the Supreme Court bench has drawn objections over his association with President William Ruto and concerns about impartiality, as well as questions about his experience given he is only months into 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. Justice Kigen: Constitution allows for same-sex family structures

    Appeal Court Judge Katwa Kigen has stated that the Constitution inherently allows for the recognition of same-sex family structures under its interpretation of rights and freedoms, noting that the legal framework does not explicitly exclude the possibility of same-sex families. His remarks contribute to ongoing discussions on equality and evolving interpretations of family structures within constitutional law, though the judiciary has not issued a formal ruling expanding the legal status of same-sex unions.

    28 April 2026 · Capital News →

  3. 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 →

  4. Court of Appeal judge promises fairness in disputes involving President

    Court of Appeal judge Katwa Kigen, a former lawyer for President William Ruto, told the Judicial Service Commission he would remain neutral and be guided by facts and law in any election-related disputes involving the President that reach the Supreme Court, where he is seeking appointment. He acknowledged public concerns about his past legal representation of Ruto but argued that many judges previously worked as advocates and questioned why concerns focused on only one client.

    28 April 2026 · The Standard →

Sunday 26 April

  1. Five candidates interviewed for vacant Supreme Court judge position

    The Judicial Service Commission is interviewing five shortlisted candidates for a Supreme Court judge vacancy left by the death of Justice Mohamed Ibrahim in December 2025. Candidates include Court of Appeal Judge Katwa Kigen, former IPOA Chairperson Anne Makori, and High Court judges Joseph Sergon, Mohammed Warsame, and Francis Tuiyott.

    28 April 2026 · Capital News →

Kenya Minute