JSC declares 45 judge vacancies after budget-driven suspension
In a Gazette Notice dated June 4, 2025, Chief Justice and JSC Chairperson Martha Koome declared 15 vacancies in the Court of Appeal, 20 in the High Court, and 10 in the Environment and Land Court.
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has announced 45 vacancies for judges in the superior courts, months after suspending a previous recruitment drive due to budget cuts.
In a Gazette Notice dated June 4, 2025, Chief Justice and JSC Chairperson Martha Koome declared 15 vacancies in the Court of Appeal, 20 in the High Court, and 10 in the Environment and Land Court.
"Pursuant to section 30 of the Judicial Service Commission Act, and section 3 of the First Schedule of the Judicial Service Act 2011, I, Martha Koome, Chief Justice of the Republic of Kenya or and on behalf of the Judiciary of Kenya, declare vacancies in the office of the Judge of the Court of Appeal," reads the notice.
The announcement marks the resumption of a recruitment process that was halted earlier this year. On January 22, 2025, the JSC recalled the previous job advertisements, citing financial restraints.
"This is to notify the general public and applicants and/or shortlisted candidates that owing to financial restraints caused by budget cuts, the JSC has recalled the advertisement of the positions," JSC Secretary and Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Winfred Mokaya said in a public notice at the time.
The earlier advertisement had been published on February 9, 2024, and included 11 positions in the Court of Appeal and five in the High Court.
The cancellation followed a commitment made during a January 22, 2024, meeting of all arms of government, where both the Executive and the Legislature pledged to support increased Judiciary funding.
The revocation in January 2025 came less than five months after the JSC, on July 3, 2024, suspended the recruitment of 11 Court of Appeal judges following a budget cut directive from the National Treasury.
Chief Justice Koome said the decision was in line with instructions from the Treasury requiring a 15 per cent reduction in the Judiciary’s budget.
"As a result, our expenditure is now limited strictly to essential needs," she said.
"In this regard, we are compelled to make major adjustments to planned programs and activities. Regrettably, this has necessitated the decision by the JSC to suspend all pending recruitments, including that of the 11 Judges of the Court of Appeal, which was scheduled to commence today."
With the latest declaration of vacancies, the Judiciary is expected to begin a fresh recruitment process to strengthen the capacity of the superior courts.
