Chief Justice Martha Koome has appointed Lady Justice Wanjiru Karanja, the senior most judge of the Court of Appeal, as Acting President of the court following the expiry of Justice Daniel Musinga’s five year term pending the election of a substantive president by appellate judges.
Justice Musinga led the Court of Appeal from 2021 to 2026 have credited for, spearheading e-filing and digital records to reduce case backlogs, standing firm during the politically sensitive rulings that reinforced public trust. He also guided the court in high-stakes disputes that shaped Kenya’s democratic process.
Her appointment is expected to bring over forty years of judicial experience, beginning as a District Magistrate in 1985, later serving as Chief Magistrate in charge of the Anti-Corruption Court. She also elevated the High Court in 2004, then to the Court of Appeal in 2012.
Having worked in human rights and refugee law and serving the tribunal investigating the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission chairperson in 2010, Wanjiru holds an LLM in Public International Law from the University of London.
Lady Justice Wanjiru is expected to oversee the coming general election of a substantive president that will determine whether Musinga’s reform agenda continues or new priorities will emerge.
