Justice Mohamed Warsame nominated as Supreme Court judge

by STAR REPORTERFriday May 1, 2026

 Justice Mohamed Abdulahi Warsame 

Justice Mohamed Abdulahi Warsame has been nominated by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) for appointment to the Supreme Court of Kenya, ending a competitive process launched to replace the late Justice Mohammed Kadhar Ibrahim.

The Commission said the decision followed deliberations on applicants who had sought the position of Judge of the Supreme Court of Kenya, with the selection exercise now complete.

The nomination now proceeds to the President for formal appointment in accordance with Article 166(1)(a) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010.

The vacancy was declared on 13th January 2026 and subsequently advertised on 28th January 2026.

According to the Commission, six applications were submitted, from which five candidates were shortlisted and invited for interviews.

The interviews were held on 28th and 29th April 2026 at the Milimani Law Courts. They were conducted in public and broadcast live, allowing Kenyans to follow the proceedings as they unfolded.

The JSC said the recruitment was carried out in accordance with constitutional and legal requirements and was guided by merit, integrity, fairness, inclusivity and regional balance.

Before the interviews, the Commission reached out to a broad mix of stakeholders, including representatives from the legal profession, academia, civil society, faith-based organisations, the Judiciary, the media and government. Members of the public were also invited to submit any relevant information about the candidates. In addition, the JSC carried out background checks and vetting with the help of relevant constitutional bodies and security agencies.

In its statement, the Commission framed the vacancy within the legacy of the late Justice Mohammed Kadhar Ibrahim, whom it described as “a founding member of this Court, a pioneer, and a jurist of rare integrity whose dedication to constitutionalism and access to justice set an enduring standard for all who serve not only on Kenya’s highest bench but all the courts.”

After concluding its deliberations, the Commission confirmed that Justice Warsame had emerged as the nominee.

“I am therefore pleased to announce that the Judicial Service Commission has nominated Justice Mohamed Abdulahi Warsame for appointment to the Supreme Court of Kenya,” read a statement by Justice Martha Koome, Chairperson of the Judicial Service Commission.

The Commission said the nomination would be forwarded to the President for formal appointment under the Constitution.

In explaining why it settled on Justice Warsame, the JSC said it was satisfied that he met the high bar required for service on the apex court. “The Commission is fully satisfied that Justice Warsame demonstrated the qualities that the Constitution demands of a Judge of the Supreme Court – professional competence, unimpeachable integrity, fairness, sound judgment, a genuine and demonstrable commitment to the rule of law and public service. The nominee’s depth of legal knowledge and breadth of life experience makes him well suited to contribute meaningfully to the development of Kenya’s jurisprudence at the highest level,” it said.

The Commission also thanked all the candidates who participated in the process, noting their readiness to undergo public examination.

It further commended stakeholders who contributed to the recruitment exercise, as well as members of the public who followed the interviews and filed representations. The JSC said the level of public engagement showed strong interest in the composition of the Judiciary and helped reinforce transparency in judicial appointments.

The Secretariat of the Commission, led by the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary and Commission Secretary Winfridah Mokaya, was also praised for supporting the process. The JSC additionally recognised its media partners for broad coverage of the interviews, saying the reporting improved public access and openness.

Beyond the nomination itself, the Commission pointed to what it described as a major year of judicial growth in Kenya. It said that in January 2026 it nominated 15 Judges to the Court of Appeal, who were later appointed by the President. It also noted that 24 Judges were nominated to the High Court and 13 to the Environment and Land Court, and are expected to take their Oath of Office next week.

“In total, 52 judges will have been appointed across 3 superior courts in this single year, the largest judicial expansion in Kenya’s recent history,” the Commission stated, adding that the appointments reflect rising demand for justice services and a drive to boost judicial capacity.

The JSC said the increase in judicial officers must be matched by better service delivery, including quicker case disposal, reduced backlog and stronger access to justice for the public. It said performance measurement remains an essential accountability tool within the Judiciary.

On that basis, the Commission announced a new direction on performance transparency, saying: “Going forward, there is a clear need to enhance transparency in the assessment of performance and reporting on the productivity of Judges and Judicial Officers in a manner that reinforces public confidence while upholding judicial independence.”

It added that beginning 1st July 2026, the Judiciary will publish individual performance data for judges and judicial officers under a structured framework meant to preserve both transparency and institutional independence.

“This is in recognition of our duty to remain accountable to the people of Kenya who are the ultimate consumers and financiers of justice and in whose name judicial authority is derived and exercised,” the Commission said.

The JSC reiterated its constitutional role and said it remains committed to building an independent, accountable, effective, efficient and transparent Judiciary in the administration of justice.