Ruto Appoints Justice Mohamed Warsame as New Supreme Court Judge
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President William Samoei Ruto has appointed Justice Mohamed Abdullahi Warsame as a judge of Kenya’s Supreme Court, according to an official government notice.
The appointment, detailed in a special issue of The Kenya Gazette dated May 5, 2026, invokes powers under Article 166 (1) (b) of the Constitution. Warsame’s swearing-in fills a vacancy on the apex court, which serves as the final arbiter of constitutional and legal disputes in the East African nation.
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) had earlier confirmed the nomination of Justice Mohamed Abdullahi Warsame for the prestigious position, with the appointment now awaited formalization by William Ruto.
“I am therefore pleased to announce that the Judicial Service Commission has nominated the Honourable Mr Justice Mohamed Abdullahi Wasame for appointment to the Supreme Court of Kenya,” stated Martha Koome.
The nomination follows constitutional procedures outlined under Article 166(1)(b), which mandates that the President appoints Supreme Court judges based on recommendations made by the JSC, with the final decision published through a Gazette Notice.
Constitutional Process and Nominations Timeline
One of the last nominees to be vetted by the JSC was Justice Warsame.
The process of vetting is designed to assess the ability, integrity, and experience of a candidate.
Justice Warsame’s nomination occurred shortly after his vetting, which indicated the commission’s confidence in him.
Education and Professional Experience
Justice Warsame has earned both an LLB from the University of Nairobi and a Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law.
This academic background has been augmented by extensive experience in legal and judicial work for many years.
Prior to his appointment to the Court of Appeal of Kenya in 2012, he worked as a High Court Judge and held jurisdiction over the Commercial and Criminal Divisions while heading the Judicial Review Division.
The period of his service in these positions has been characterized by exceptional effectiveness in clearing cases.
Contributions to Public Service and Criminal Justice Reform
Apart from sitting as a judge, Justice Warsame has also been instrumental in transforming the criminal justice system.
As the Chairperson of the Community Service and Probation Committee, he has led in the release of more than 7,000 petty criminals from various prisons in the country, an effort intended to ease congestion in the correctional institutions and introduce alternative forms of punishment.
Prior to being appointed as a judge, Justice Warsame practiced as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya for several years, giving him extensive knowledge and experience in litigations and the management of court proceedings.
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Leadership Roles within the Judicial Service Commission
In addition to serving in the Judiciary, Justice Warsame has also been involved in judicial management.
In 2013, he was elected as a Commissioner of the JSC by the judges of the Court of Appeal under Article 171(2)(c) of the Constitution.
As a member of the JSC, he has held positions in the Finance and Administration Committee and the Human Resources Committee.
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CJ Martha Koome at previous event. PHOTO/Koome X.
