President Uhuru Kenyatta has appointed seven judges to the Court of Appeal, ending back-and-forth wrangles with the Judiciary.
In a gazette notice dated Tuesday, July 19, Uhuru approved all seven candidates nominated to the Appellant Court by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
"In exercise of the powers conferred by Article 166 of the Constitution of Kenya, I appoint the following to be Judges of the Court of Appeal," the notice read in part.
Among those appointed include Justices Kimaru Luka Kiprotich of the High Court in Kitale, Gachoka Paul Mwaniki and Lydia Awino Achode of the High Court in Nairobi
Other judges include Fredrick Andago Ochieng of the High Court in Kisumu, Abida Ali of the High Court in Garissa, John Mutinga of the High Court in Nairobi and Grace Wangui of the Naivasha High Court.
While nominating the seven for the appointments, Chief Justice Martha Karua stated that JSC vetted the nominees and found them the best fit to fill the vacancies left by judges who left the profession.
"After lengthy deliberations and careful consideration of the performance of the various candidates and based on merit, gender, regional balance, affirmative action and public interest," CJ Koome explained.
Among those who left was former Court of Appeal President Justice William Ouko, who was appointed to the Supreme Court of Kenya. Others left the commission through natural attrition.
The decision came amid tension between the Judiciary and the Executive after the Head of State refused to appoint 34 judges recommended to him by JSC.
Initially, Uhuru only appointed Aggrey Muchelule, George Odunga, Weldon Korir, Joel Ngugi, High Court Judith Omange and Chief Magistrate Evans Makori.
However, following a court battle, the President appointed seven Court of Appeal judges, nine judges in the Employment and Labour Relations Court and 18 in the Environment and Land Court.
Among those appointed to the Appellate Court included Justices Mbogholi Msagha, Omondi Hellen, Ngugi Grace, Francis Tuiyott, Pauline Nyaboke, Jessie Lesiit and Kibaya Laibuta.
