Ruto Hits Ground Running, Appoints Judges Kenyatta Turned Down

Kenya's President William Ruto has appointed six Appeal Court judges previously sidelined by his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta, saying there was no basis not to appoint them as recommended by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

The judges were recommended for appointment six years ago, but Kenyatta turned them down, saying there were adverse reports against them from the intelligence service.

The Justices are Korir Weldon Kipyegon, Muchelule Aggrey Otsyula, Odunga George Vincent and Joel Mwaura Ngugi who will all become Court of Appeal judges while two others Makori Evans Kiago and Cheruiyot Omange Judith Elizabeth will join the Environment and Land Court.

The delay in the appointment of the judges had caused frosty relations between the presidency and the judiciary, after former chief justice David Maraga decried the crisis caused by inadequate judges in superior courts, while Attorney-General Kihara Kariuki insisted that the president would not appoint judges with questionable character - adding that the refusal to appoint the JSC nominees was within the law.

Ruto hailed the judiciary for being steadfast in dispensing justice, saying it should not be under-funded.