Court of Appeal Judge Justice Katwa Kigen has drawn public attention after he did not openly declare his personal wealth during his interview for the position of Supreme Court judge.
Justice Kigen appeared before the Judicial Service Commission during the ongoing vetting process for candidates seeking to join the highest court in the country. The interviews are meant to test the professional record, integrity, and suitability of each candidate before any appointment is made.
During the session, members of the panel asked questions about his judicial experience, past legal work, and his ability to remain independent in cases involving political leaders. Kigen assured the commission that he would always follow the Constitution and make decisions based only on the law.May be an image of text
However, unlike some public officials who often reveal their net worth during parliamentary approval hearings, Justice Kigen did not publicly state the value of his assets. His silence on the matter quickly sparked discussion among Kenyans, with some people questioning whether judges seeking higher office should be required to make their wealth known to the public.
Supporters of the judge said the Supreme Court vetting process is different from political appointments because judicial officers already submit confidential financial records through official channels. They argued that wealth declarations may not always need to be discussed in public unless the commission finds a reason for concern.
Justice Kigen is among several candidates being interviewed to fill the vacant position at the Supreme Court following a recent vacancy at the apex court.
The Judicial Service Commission is expected to complete the interviews before announcing the successful candidate in the coming days. Until then, debate over openness in the vetting process is likely to continue among members of the public and legal observers across the country.