The Judicial Service Commission has nominated Justice Mohammed Warsame for appointment as a judge of the Supreme Court of Kenya, moving to fill the vacancy left by the death of Justice Mohamed Ibrahim.
In a statement following the conclusion of interviews on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, the commission said Warsame emerged successful after a competitive recruitment process conducted in accordance with the constitution and the principles of fairness, transparency, accountability and merit.
The vacancy arose following the death of Justice Ibrahim, a long-serving jurist whose work at the Supreme Court contributed significantly to the development of Kenya’s post-2010 constitutional jurisprudence. His passing created a vacancy at the apex court, requiring the Judicial Service Commission to begin the process of identifying a suitable replacement.
According to the commission, the position was first advertised on January 28, 2026. Six candidates applied for the post, out of which five were shortlisted for interviews. The interviews were conducted publicly and broadcast live, a move the JSC said was part of efforts to strengthen openness and public confidence in the appointment of judges to the country’s highest court.
The interviews concluded on April 29, with Justices Francis Tuiyott and Mohammed Warsame among those who appeared before the commission on the final day.
On Tuesday, April 28, Anne Waceke, Katwa Kigen and Joseph Sergon were interviewed by the JSC panel.
The commission said the recruitment process included stakeholder engagement, background checks and an assessment of the suitability and integrity of the shortlisted candidates. Stakeholders from the legal profession, the judiciary and the public were invited to submit memoranda on the candidates before the interviews.
JSC said the process was guided by constitutional requirements on leadership and integrity, professional competence, judicial experience and the need to maintain public trust in the courts.
“The selection process was conducted in strict adherence to constitutional principles of fairness, transparency and merit,” the commission said.
Warsame, a judge of the Court of Appeal, now awaits formal appointment by the President. If appointed, he will join the Supreme Court at a time when the institution continues to play a central role in resolving major constitutional, electoral and governance disputes.
The Supreme Court is Kenya’s final court of appeal and has exclusive jurisdiction over presidential election petitions. It also issues advisory opinions and determines appeals involving constitutional interpretation and matters of general public importance. Its decisions are binding on all other courts.
Justice Ibrahim, whose death occasioned the vacancy, was among the pioneer judges of the Supreme Court after the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution. He was part of the first bench that helped establish the court’s authority in Kenya’s new constitutional order. He died on December 17, 2025, while receiving treatment in Nairobi.
His death marked the end of a judicial career that spanned decades, including service in the High Court and later at the Supreme Court. He was widely recognized for his contribution to constitutional interpretation, judicial independence and the development of Kenya’s apex court during its formative years.
The nomination of Warsame is expected to attract close public attention, given the importance of the Supreme Court in Kenya’s legal and political landscape. The court has in recent years handled high-stakes cases touching on presidential elections, devolution, separation of powers, human rights and the limits of state authority.
For the JSC, the nomination also comes at a time when public scrutiny of judicial appointments remains high. The commission has repeatedly emphasized that open interviews, stakeholder input and integrity checks are essential in ensuring that only qualified and suitable candidates are recommended for appointment.
The commission’s recommendation now sets the stage for the final constitutional step in the appointment process.
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