President William Ruto’s Former Lawyer Katwa Kigen Shortlisted for Supreme Court Seat

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has shortlisted five candidates for appointment to Kenya’s Supreme Court. The vacancy arose after the death of Justice Mohamed Khadhar Ibrahim in December 2025. The JSC aims to fill the apex court seat with an experienced and capable jurist.

The shortlisted candidates include Justices Joseph Kipchumba Kigen Katwa, Warsame Abdulahi Mohammed, Joseph Kiplagat Sergon, Francis Kipruto Tuiyott, and former Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) Chair Anne Waceke Kiratu Makori. Interviews are scheduled for April 28 and April 29. The JSC has invited members of the public to submit information on any of the candidates, assuring confidentiality. “The interviews will be conducted publicly, and the public can submit information regarding any of the candidates to ensure transparency and merit-based selection,” the commission said.

Katwa Kigen, a Court of Appeal judge, is notably President William Ruto’s former lawyer. He represented Ruto in several high-profile legal cases, including disputes following the 2022 general election. He was also part of Ruto’s defence team at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, working alongside British barrister Karim Khan. The ICC case, which accused Ruto of crimes against humanity linked to the 2007–2008 post-election violence, was terminated in 2016.

The other shortlisted candidates bring decades of judicial and oversight experience. Anne Waceke Makori previously chaired IPOA, gaining extensive expertise in law enforcement oversight. Justices Sergon, Tuiyott, and Mohammed are senior members of the judiciary with experience in handling complex legal matters.

The JSC’s public interview process emphasizes transparency and merit. By inviting public input, the commission aims to select a candidate who is impartial, competent, and capable of upholding Kenya’s Constitution. The appointment is expected to strengthen the Supreme Court and shape landmark rulings in the country’s legal landscape.