NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 17 — The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has announced the resignation of its Chairperson, Justice Ahmed Issack Hassan, just three weeks after he was sworn in as a judge of the Court of Appeal.
In a statement released on Tuesday, IPOA confirmed that Justice Issack tendered his resignation from the civilian oversight body, citing developments following his recent elevation to the appellate court.
The Authority further stated that Vice Chairperson Anne Wanjiku Mwangi will immediately assume the role of presiding over the IPOA Board as the process to appoint a substantive chairperson begins, in accordance with Section 11 of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority Act (Cap. 86 of the Laws of Kenya).
“The Authority reaffirms its commitment to service delivery in accordance with its statutory mandate, notwithstanding these developments,” IPOA said in a statement dated February 19, 2026.
Justice Issack was among 15 judges sworn in on January 28, 2026, by President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi, following appointments formalized through a Gazette Notice dated January 27.
The appointments, made after nominations by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), aimed to address the acute shortage of judges at the Court of Appeal, which has been operating with 27 judges against a statutory capacity of 70.
Among the newly appointed judges were Senior Counsel Katwa Kigen and several High Court judges promoted to the appellate bench, including Enock Chacha Mwita, Hedwig Ong’udi, and Mathews Nduma Nderi. Others included Linnet Mumo Ndolo, Lucy Mwihaki Njuguna, Rachel Chepkoech Ngetich, Samson Odhiambo Okongo, Stephen Radido Okiyo, Brown Murungi Kairaria, Paul Lilan, Munyao Sila, Johnson Okoth Okello, and Byram Ongaya.
Chief Justice Martha Koome, who chairs the JSC, said the selection process prioritized merit, integrity, inclusivity, gender parity, and regional balance, with candidates evaluated on professional competence, legal and life experience, communication skills, and commitment to constitutionalism and public service.
“The appointments will strengthen the Court’s ability to address the existing backlog of cases and enhance access to justice through the timely hearing and determination of appeals,” Koome said during the swearing-in ceremony.
The Court of Appeal is Kenya’s second-highest court and hears appeals from the High Court and other courts of equal status. Its decisions shape binding jurisprudence on constitutional, commercial, and public law disputes nationwide.
