Chief Justice Martha Koome has appointed new chairpersons and members to six specialised tribunals in Kenya, dealing with competition, energy, industrial property, standards, micro and small enterprises, and retirement benefits. The appointments were made by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) under various laws governing the tribunals, with most taking effect in September 2026. The appointments aim to strengthen the tribunals' capacity to provide specialised forums for resolving disputes in their respective areas.
The appointments include John Joseph Wamwara as chairperson of the Standards Tribunal for three years, effective September 2, 2026. Valentine Mwende Mulwa has been appointed chairperson of the Competition Tribunal for five years, while Doris Kinya Mwirigi will chair the Energy and Petroleum Tribunal for four years. Pauline Mudeshi Muhanda has been appointed chairperson of the Industrial Property Tribunal for three years. These appointments were gazetted through Notices Nos. 15271 to 15280, dated September 22 and 23, 2026.
In addition to the chairpersons, the JSC has also appointed members to the tribunals. Dorine Kalii David has been appointed as a member of the Competition Tribunal for five years, effective September 4, 2026. The JSC also re-appointed Hillary Marrirmoi and Raymond Nyamweya as members of the tribunal for three years, effective June 5, 2026. Other appointments include Cynthia Opakas Andiabutswa, Yasmin Shariff Abdulkadir, and Lawrence Otieno Atonga as members of the Energy and Petroleum Tribunal for three years.
The Industrial Property Tribunal will have Kush Bowry and Catherine Waithira Karanja as members for three years, effective September 4, 2026. The JSC has also appointed four members to the Micro and Small Enterprises Tribunal for five years: Duncan Mwiti Kinyua, Joan Jeptepkeny Korir, Faith Kanana Kaithia, and Steffi Annette Akinyi Okallo. These appointments aim to enhance the tribunals' capacity to handle disputes in their respective areas.
The Retirement Benefits Appeals Tribunal has also received new appointments, with Linus Oyimba Makhulo and Susy Ekesa Rauto serving as members for three years from September 4, 2026. The Gazette notices, signed by Martha Koome in her capacity as Chief Justice and Chairperson of the JSC, formally set out the terms and effective dates for the appointments and reappointments across the specialised tribunals.
The appointments come as the tribunals continue to play a critical role in providing specialised forums for resolving disputes in areas including competition, energy and petroleum, industrial property, standards, small enterprises, and retirement benefits. The JSC's appointments cover both chairperson and membership positions, with terms ranging from three to five years depending on the tribunal and the applicable legislation.
The new appointments are expected to bring fresh perspectives and expertise to the tribunals, enhancing their effectiveness in dispute resolution. The Judicial Service Commission's role in making these appointments underscores its commitment to ensuring the independence and effectiveness of the judiciary in Kenya.
Key points
- The appointments of new chairpersons and members to six specialised tribunals aim to strengthen their capacity to provide specialised forums for resolving disputes.
- The appointments were made by the Judicial Service Commission under various laws governing the tribunals, with most taking effect in September 2026.
- The terms of the appointments range from three to five years, depending on the tribunal and the applicable legislation.
