Justice Steven Gatembu Kairu will lead Kenya’s second-highest court for the next five years after winning the election for President of the Court of Appeal with a commanding majority vote.
The appellate judge secured 26 out of 41 votes cast in Monday’s election, defeating Lady Justice Lydia Achode, Justice Patrick Kiage and Lady Justice Agnes Murgor in a race closely watched within legal and judicial circles.
The election attracted all judges serving at the Court of Appeal, delivering a 100 per cent voter turnout.
The secret ballot was supervised by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Justice Kairu’s victory marks the end of a succession process triggered by the retirement from office of former Court of Appeal President Justice Daniel Musinga, whose five-year term ended on May 24, 2026.
His election places him at the helm of a court that routinely handles some of the country’s most consequential disputes, including constitutional petitions, election appeals, commercial conflicts and criminal cases.
Moments after being declared the winner, Justice Kairu expressed gratitude to his colleagues for the confidence they had shown in him.
“I am deeply humbled by the trust and confidence reposed in me by my colleagues. I undertake to serve the Court and the people of Kenya with diligence, integrity and fidelity to the Constitution,” he said.
Among judges who participated in the election were Justice Imaana Laibuta, Lady Justice Grace Mumbi Ngugi and Justice Issack Hassan.
The position of President of the Court of Appeal is one of the most influential offices in the Judiciary. Besides presiding over appellate proceedings, the office holder is responsible for the administration and management of the Court of Appeal and plays a critical role in shaping judicial policy and case management.
Justice Kairu assumes office with an extensive legal career spanning private practice, academia, arbitration and judicial service.
He joined the Court of Appeal in 2012 after years in legal practice and alternative dispute resolution. Before his appointment to the bench, he was a partner at Kairu & McCourt Advocates and later worked as an arbitrator and mediator.
A holder of a Master of Laws degree from Boston University, Justice Kairu also earned his law degree from the University of Nairobi and a Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law.
His contribution to legal education is equally notable. For more than two decades, he lectured at the University of Nairobi School of Law, teaching Civil Procedure, Banking Law and Alternative Dispute Resolution.
He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and has chaired several Judiciary committees, including the Integrated Court Management System Committee.
Justice Kairu takes over leadership of the Court of Appeal at a time when the Judiciary faces mounting pressure to clear case backlogs and efficiently handle a growing number of high-stakes appeals with significant political, economic and constitutional implications.
