Justice Fatuma Sichale replaces Mohammed Warsame at JSC

Justice Fatuma Sichale has joined the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) as the Court of Appeal representative replacing Justice Mohammed Warsame, whose term ended.

Justice Sichale took the oath of office on Monday morning in a ceremony presided over by Chief Justice Martha Koome at the Supreme Court building in Nairobi. Vice Chairperson Macharia Njeru and commissioners David Majanja, Everlyne Olwande Jacqueline Ingutiah and Mohammed Ibrahim were the witnesses.

Sichale became the Court of Appeal representative after defeating Justices Patrick Kiage and Gatembu Kairu in a vote last month.

Koome, who is also the JSC chairperson, congratulated and welcomed her to the commission, describing her as a valuable team player who will help the body to realise its constitutional mandate.

Chief Justice Martha Koome (L), who is the chair of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), congratulates Justice Fatuma Sichale as she officials joins the body as its Court of Appeal representative, February 5, 2024. (Photo: Judicial Service Commission)

The JSC consists of 11 members including the Chief Justice, a Court of Appeal representative, one High Court judge, one magistrate, the Attorney-General, two advocates of the High Court, one person recommended by the Public Service Commission, and a public representative appointed by the public with the approval of the National Assembly and the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary.

The commission aims to promote and facilitate the independence and accountability of the Judiciary and recommend persons for appointment as judges.

It is also tasked with receiving complaints against registrars, magistrates and other judicial officers in accordance with the law.

The commission further advises the national government on the efficient administration of justice and makes recommendations on the conditions of service for judges and judicial officers.

Justice Sichale termed her elevation as a significant milestone in her judicial career and vowed to diligently serve the people of Kenya and her colleagues as guided by the constitution.

According to the law, members of the commission, apart from the Chief Justice and the Attorney-General, shall hold office, provided that they remain qualified, for five years and shall be eligible for nomination for another term of the same period.