JSC Nominates Court of Appeal Judge Mohamed Abdulahi Warsame for Supreme Court

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has nominated Justice Mohamed Abdulahi Warsame, currently serving on the Court of Appeal, as its choice to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court left by the death of Justice Mohammed Kadhar Ibrahim in December 2025.

Chief Justice Martha Koome, who chairs the JSC, announced the decision on Wednesday following two days of public interviews held at the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi.

The position was advertised in late January 2026. Six candidates applied; five were shortlisted and interviewed on April 28 and 29.

The commission said it had concluded its deliberations and was forwarding Justice Warsame’s name to President William Ruto for formal appointment under Article 166(1)(a) of Kenya’s 2010 Constitution.

In a statement, the commission said it was satisfied that Justice Warsame met the high constitutional standards demanded of a Supreme Court judge.

“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, and a genuine commitment to the rule of law and public service,” the JSC said.

His depth of legal knowledge and breadth of experience, it added, would enable him to contribute meaningfully to the development of Kenya’s jurisprudence at the highest level.

Before the interviews, the commission consulted broadly with the legal profession, academia, civil society, faith-based groups, the judiciary, media and government. It also invited public submissions on the candidates and conducted extensive background checks in coordination with other state agencies.