President Kenyatta appoints 14 new High Court judges

President Uhuru Kenyatta has appointed 14 High Court judges recommended by the Judicial Service Commission, ending a year-long standoff over their fate.

The judges are Riechi Stephen Nyangau, Sawe Olga Akech, Winfrida Adhiambo Okwany, Otieno Patrick Okwara, Anthony Kimani Ndung’u, Mugure Thande, Margaret Njoki Mwangi and Githinji Stephen Murugu.

Others are Dorah O Chepkwony, Ongeri Asenath Nyaboke, Kiarie Waweru Kiarie, Njuguna Lucy Mwihaki, Mativo Muting’a John and Nyakundi Reuben Nyambati.

The 14 were among a group of 25 recommended in January last year of which only 11 were appointed, with the President saying he was still consulting with the Chief Justice and the JSC chairperson over the remaining judges.

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) moved to court to seek an order compelling the President to swear in the 14. Through lawyer Nzamba Kitonga, LSK sought a declaration from the High Court that the President was under a mandatory constitutional duty to appoint, swear in and gazette the judges upon receipt of their names from the JSC and had no “vetting” powers over the list.

A statement from the Presidential Strategic Communications Unit Tuesday announced the appointments with no reference to the delay or consultations.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by Article 166(1) (b) of the Constitution, as read with Article 172(1) (a) of the Constitution and Section 30 as read with the First schedule of the Judicial Service Act, 2011, I, Uhuru Kenyatta, President and Commander In Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, in accordance with the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission, appoint the judges,” the President said.

The appointments take effect immediately.