The Court of Appeal of Kenya is established under Article 164 of the constitution of Kenya and consists of a number of judges, being not fewer than twelve.
The court handles appeals arising over the decisions of the High Court of Kenya, the Environment & Land Court and the Employment & Labour Relations Court as well as any other court or tribunal as provided for in law. The judges of the Court of Appeal elect one Judge to represent them on the Judicial Service Commission.
The Court of Appeal currently has six registries, one each in Nairobi, Mombasa, Nyeri, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret.[1]
The Constitution and the Court of Appeal (Organization and Administration) Act, 2015 set the minimum number of Court of Appeal Judges at 12 while the Judicature Act sets the maximum at 30.
Each case is heard by a collegiate bench with an odd number of Judges subject to a minimum of three Judges. In practice, however, nearly all cases are heard by a three-judge bench. A few exceptional cases have been heard by five or seven judges.
The court is headed by a President of the Court of Appeal who is elected by the Judges of the Court from among themselves. The current President of the Court is Hon. Justice Daniel Isokolo Musinga who was elected on May 24, 2021.
Hon Mr. Justice Amritlal Bhagwangi (A.B.) Shah - retired[3]
Hon. Mr. Justice John Walter Onyango Otieno - retired
Hon. Mr. Justice Festus Azangalala - retired
Hon. Mr. Justice Paul Kihara Kariuki, former President of the Court of Appeal - Appointed Attorney General in March 2018
Hon. Lady Justice Philomena Mwilu - Appointed Deputy Chief Justice & Vice President of the Supreme Court
Hon. Mr. Justice David Kenani Maraga - Appointed Chief Justice & President of the Supreme Court
Hon. Mr. Justice John Wycliffe Mwera - Retired
Hon. Mr. Justice Johnson Evans Gicheru – Former Chief Justice under the repealed Constitution, retired on February 27, 2011, and died on December 25, 2020
Hon. Mr. Justice Philip Kiptoo Tunoi - Appointed Judge of the Supreme Court on June 16, 2011
Hon. Mr. Justice M Ole Keiwua - died October 8, 2011
Hon. Lady Justice Kalpana Rawal - Appointed Judge of the Supreme Court on June 3, 2013
Hon. Mr. Justice Riaga S C Omolo - found unsuitable to continue serving by the Judges & Magistrates Vetting Board[4]
Hon. Mr. Justice Samuel E O Bosire - found unsuitable to continue serving by the Judges & Magistrates Vetting Board[4]
Hon. Mr. Justice Emmanuel O'kubasu - found unsuitable to continue serving by the Judges & Magistrates Vetting Board[4]
Hon. Mr. Justice J G Nyamu - found unsuitable to continue serving by the Judges & Magistrates Vetting Board[4]
The Court of Appeal has jurisdiction to hear appeals from the High Court, the Environment & Land Court and the Employment & Labour Relations Court. It also has jurisdiction to hear appeals from any other court or tribunal as prescribed by an Act of Parliament. It also hears contempt of court as original jurisdiction.