CJ Koome Restructures Court of Appeal After Fresh Appointments

The Judiciary, led by Chief Justice (CJ) Martha Koome, has announced the deployment of newly constituted benches of the Court of Appeal of Kenya following the recent recruitment of 15 new judges.

In a statement dated February 13, 2026, the court outlined the distribution of judges across its stations in Nairobi and regional appellate courts to streamline the delivery of justice.

“Following the recent recruitment of 15 new Judges of the Court of Appeal, the benches have been deployed as follows,” read the statement.

Court of Appeal, Nairobi Deployment

For the Nairobi deployment, the capital city will host six separate courts to handle appeal cases.

Justice Daniel Musinga continues in his role as President of the Court of Appeal, leading Court 1 alongside Justices Kathurima M’Inoti, Dr Kibaya Laibuta, and Paul Lilan.

The other Nairobi-based courts are composed as follows:

Court 2 comprises Justices Wanjiru Karanja, Hellen Omondi, Muchelule, and Lucy Njuguna.

Court 3 brings together Justices Mohamed Warsame, Luka Kimaru, Okoth Okello, and Munyao Sila.

Also Read: Ruto’s ICC Lawyer Among 15 Nominees for Judge of the Court of Appeal

Court 4 includes Justices Makhandia, Sichale, Lesiit, and Nderi.

Court 5 consists of Justices Kiage, J. Mohammed, Kantai, and Okiyo.

Court 6 will sit with Justices Murgor, Aroni, Prof. Ngugi, and Ngetich.

Regional Benches

Outside Nairobi, the judges have been deployed as follows:

Meru: Justices Gatembu, Odunga, and Ong’udi.

Nyeri: Justices Mumbi Ngugi, Achode, and Katwa Kigen.

Mombasa: Justices Tuiyott, Ngenye, and Okongo.

Kisumu: Justices Nyamweya, Ongaya, and Mwita.

Nakuru: Justices Mativo, Kairaria, and Hassan.

Eldoret: Justices Gachoka, Korir, and Ndolo.

The reconstitution of the benches follows the swearing-in of the 15 newly appointed appellate judges, expanding the court’s capacity at a time when the Judiciary has been under pressure to expedite the hearing and determination of appeals.

Also Read: CJ Koome Announces Vacancy of Supreme Court Judge

During the swearing-in ceremony of the 15 new judges to Kenya’s Court of Appeal on January 28, 2026, at State House, Nairobi, President William Ruto said that expanding the Judiciary, particularly the Court of Appeal, would play a major role in clearing the backlog of cases, reducing delays in justice delivery, lowering litigation costs for litigants, improving dispute resolution timelines, and enhancing public confidence in the justice system.

Among the 15 were prominent figures such as Ahmed Issack Hassan, former IEBC Chairperson and outgoing IPOA chairperson, and Katwa Kigen, a Senior Counsel who has previously represented President Ruto.

Nine of the judges were promoted from the High Court, while others were drawn from the Bar and senior legal practice, including Mathews Nduma Nderi, Linnet Mumo Ndolo, Chacha Mwita, Paul Lilan, Johnstone Okello, and Brown Murungi.

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