What You Need to Know
Katwa Kigen, former lawyer for President William Ruto, has assured the Judicial Service Commission of his impartiality if appointed to the Supreme Court. Addressing concerns about his past representation of Ruto, Kigen emphasized his commitment to fairness and adherence to the law, stating he would handle cases objectively, especially during the upcoming 2027 General Elections.
Africa-Press – Kenya. Katwa Kigen, who was previously President William Ruto’s lawyer, has addressed concerns raised by Kenyans regarding his suitability to serve as a Supreme Court judge ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
Appearing before the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) on Tuesday, April 28, Kigen assured the panel that he would remain impartial and uphold the law if appointed to the apex court.
He was responding to concerns raised in a formal letter dated April 8, 2026, in which a section of Kenyans questioned whether his previous legal representation of Ruto could influence his judgment in the event of a 2027 presidential petition.
During the session, Justice Fatuma Sichale put the issue directly to him, noting that some Kenyans feared he could struggle to remain neutral during the hearing of a presidential petition.
“Some Kenyans are expressing their misgivings about your candidature. They are concerned about the fact that you have been a lawyer for President William Ruto, who is likely to be a candidate in the 2027 general elections,” questioned Sichale.
In response, Kigen acknowledged his past professional relationship with Ruto but reiterated his commitment to fairness, neutrality, and adherence to the law.
“First, I have indeed represented him. May I say that I intend to be as objective and neutral in the discharge of my function as a judge? Let me give my assurance that I will be fair and that I will only deal with facts and the law,” Kigen said.
During his presentation, he noted that many judges currently within the judiciary previously served as advocates before joining the bench, arguing that singling him out for the type of client he represented could be discrimination.
He further explained that the judiciary has established mechanisms to address any genuine concerns about bias, including the option for a judge to recuse themselves from a case where a conflict of interest exists.
“There are measures if there is anybody concerned with my sitting at the Supreme Court with a justifiable cause, there are provisions of how that can be handled, including recusal,” he stated.
“I am aware there are presidential petitions that have been done with fewer than the totality of 7 Supreme Court judges. The Supreme Court workload is not limited only to presidential petitions.”
Kigen has in the past represented Ruto in high-profile cases, including being his defence team at the International Criminal Court (ICC) and during the 2022 presidential election petition.
The role of the Supreme Court in Kenya is crucial, especially during election periods when disputes often arise. The court’s decisions can significantly impact the political landscape, making the appointment of judges a matter of public interest. Concerns about impartiality are common, particularly when judges have prior associations with political figures. This context underscores the importance of transparency and integrity in the judiciary, especially as Kenya approaches the 2027 elections, where the stakes are high for all parties involved.
