Justice Gatembu Kairu was on Thursday sworn in as the President of the Court of Appeal, taking over the leadership of Kenya’s second-highest court after being elected by fellow Court of Appeal judges.
Chief Justice Martha Koome, who presided over the swearing-in ceremony, described the occasion as a significant constitutional milestone and congratulated Justice Gatembu on his election, saying it reflected the confidence his colleagues have in his integrity, leadership, professional competence and sound judgement.
She expressed confidence that he would provide visionary leadership while building on the institutional gains made by the Court of Appeal over the years.
In his inaugural address, Justice Gatembu pledged to lead the court with transparency, inclusivity and unwavering fidelity to the Constitution and the rule of law.
He identified the reduction of case backlog and the timely determination of appeals as his immediate priorities, noting that delayed justice continues to affect many Kenyans. He said the court would strengthen case management, embrace technology and enhance collaboration to improve efficiency and ensure faster resolution of appeals.
Chief Justice Koome also underscored the need to tackle the backlog of pending appeals, saying every unresolved case represents Kenyans waiting for justice.
“Timely justice is both a constitutional obligation and a prerequisite for public confidence, economic growth and the rule of law,” she said.
She challenged the Court of Appeal to take advantage of its expanded judicial capacity and work towards hearing and determining appeals, as far as possible, within one year of filing.
Justice Gatembu also paid tribute to his predecessor, Justice Daniel Musinga, crediting him with expanding the court’s reach, strengthening digitisation, increasing judicial capacity and improving access to justice.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Renson Ingonga, said the ceremony represented more than a routine leadership transition.
“The swearing-in of Hon. Justice Gatembu Kairu as President of the Court of Appeal is not merely a formal transition of leadership; it is a reaffirmation of our collective commitment to the rule of law, constitutionalism, and the enduring values of justice that anchor our Republic.”
Justice Gatembu succeeds Justice Musinga at a time when the Judiciary is seeking to improve the efficiency of appellate justice and strengthen public confidence in the administration of justice.
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