In a significant move that underscores its ongoing efforts to strengthen the judiciary, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has announced a call for applications for several high-level leadership roles, including the positions of Chief Kadhi and Registrar. This announcement was made on Friday, January 16, 2026, shortly after the JSC had publicized various job openings and initiated the selection process for candidates vying for superior court roles throughout the country.
The position of Chief Kadhi became available due to the unfortunate passing of Sheikh Athman Abdul-Halim Hussein in mid-2025. As Kenya's foremost judge in matters related to Islamic law, the Chief Kadhi oversees the Kadhis' Courts, which deal with personal status issues for Muslims, such as marriage, divorce, and inheritance. This role also involves supervising other Kadhis, ensuring the legal system's integrity, providing guidance to the government, and managing the administrative functions of the court.
The JSC registrar position, which is now vacant, was previously occupied by Anne Atieno Amadi until January 2024. The registrar is responsible for delivering strategic leadership and oversight regarding the commission’s various functions and daily operations.
As per the announcement, the deadline for applying for these senior leadership and technical positions, which also include roles in information technology, is set for February 5, 2026. Currently, the JSC is in the midst of interviewing candidates for 15 Court of Appeal positions, where 35 shortlisted individuals are undergoing public vetting. The interview process, which commenced on January 12, features competition among 21 sitting judges and 14 senior advocates for the available roles.
Additionally, the JSC declared a vacancy in the Supreme Court on January 13, 2026, following the death of Justice Mohamed Ibrahim earlier this month. In November 2025, the commission had already advertised a total of 26 vacancies across various professional areas, indicating a robust initiative to fill staffing shortages within the judiciary.
To enhance transparency during this selection process, all interviews are being streamed live on the JSC's official YouTube and Facebook channels as the judiciary navigates its ongoing personnel challenges. Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications through the official JSC Jobs Portal for these advertised opportunities.
