By Mumo Judah, June 22, 2026
Justice Steven Gatembu Kairu has been elected as the new President of the Court of Appeal, taking over the leadership of Kenya’s second-highest judicial institution following a secret ballot held on Monday, June 22, 2026, at the Sarova Stanley Hotel in Nairobi.
The election, which was independently supervised by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, attracted four candidates and saw Justice Gatembu emerge victorious after garnering 26 votes out of the 41 ballots cast.
He defeated Lady Justice Lydia Achode, Justice Patrick Kiage and Lady Justice Agnes Murgor in the closely watched contest, bringing to an end months of anticipation over who would succeed Justice Daniel Musinga, whose non-renewable five-year term expired on May 24, 2026.
Justice Gatembu now assumes the responsibility of leading the Court of Appeal, which serves as the country’s second-highest court after the Supreme Court. In his new role, he will oversee the administration of appellate matters, coordinate operations across regional benches, and represent the court in the Judicial Service Commission, where key decisions affecting the judiciary are made.
The position also places him at the center of efforts aimed at enhancing efficiency in the appellate system amid a growing number of cases and increasing public expectations for timely delivery of justice.
A seasoned jurist, Justice Gatembu has over 40 years of legal experience. Before joining the Court of Appeal in 2012, he built an extensive career in private legal practice and commercial mediation and also served as a lecturer at the University of Nairobi School of Law, where he mentored generations of legal practitioners.
Throughout his judicial career, he has handled numerous landmark cases and earned recognition for his commitment to the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary.
His election marks a transition in leadership at a time when the Judiciary is pursuing reforms aimed at reducing case backlogs and strengthening access to justice across the country.
Justice Daniel Musinga, whom he succeeds, served as President of the Court of Appeal since 2021 and presided over a period marked by increased digitization of court processes and efforts to streamline appellate case management.
Legal stakeholders and judicial observers are expected to closely watch Justice Gatembu’s tenure as he steers the Court of Appeal through the next phase of institutional reforms and the evolving demands placed on Kenya’s justice system.
The election underscores the judiciary’s commitment to internal democratic processes and continuity in leadership, with Justice Gatembu now tasked with guiding one of the country’s most important institutions in upholding constitutionalism and the administration of justice.
