High Court judge Isaac Lenaola yesterday received Judicial Service Commission (JSC) nomination to replace retired Justice Philip Tunoi at the Supreme Court.
He emerged the winner, beating other 21 shortlisted candidates.
“After lengthy deliberations the JSC has recommended Hon. Justice Isaac Lenaola for appointment as judge of the Supreme Court of Kenya and has submitted the name to His Excellency the President,” said a statement by the vice chairman JSC Margaret Kobia.
Until his appointment, Justice Lenaola was the head of the Constitutional and Human Rights Division at the High Court.
His appointment dashed the hopes of several women’s organisations that petitioned the commission to appoint a woman to conform to the two-thirds gender rule at the Supreme Court.
His name will be sent to President Uhuru Kenyatta who will forward it to the National Assembly for vetting.