Justice Gatembu Kairu was elected President of the Court of Appeal on 20th June 2026, succeeding Justice Daniel Musinga and assuming leadership of Kenya’s second-highest court at a pivotal moment for the Judiciary. As President of the Court of Appeal, he is responsible not only for steering the administration of the appellate court but also for shaping jurisprudence on some of the country’s most consequential constitutional, commercial, electoral, and public law disputes. Following his election, Justice Kairu pledged to foster collaboration, collegiality, and mutual respect among judges while enhancing the Court’s efficiency in delivering justice.  

Justice Kairu’s judicial career spans more than a decade at the appellate level. He was appointed Judge of the Court of Appeal in 2012, having previously served as a Judge of the High Court after his appointment to the Bench in 2011. Throughout his tenure, he has presided over landmark appeals involving constitutional interpretation, commercial disputes, land matters, administrative justice, and electoral litigation. Before joining the Judiciary, he built a distinguished legal career in private practice, earning recognition as an experienced advocate with a particular interest in commercial law, civil litigation, arbitration, and alternative dispute resolution. He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb), reflecting his longstanding contribution to arbitration and dispute resolution.  

Justice Kairu’s legal foundation was laid at the University of Nairobi, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) in 1984, before proceeding to the Kenya School of Law, where he earned a Diploma in Law in 1985 and was admitted to the Bar. Seeking to deepen his expertise in commercial and international law, he later obtained a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from Boston University in 1990. Throughout his career, he has complemented his academic training with extensive professional development in judicial administration, arbitration, constitutional law, and judicial leadership. A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb), Justice Kairu has built a career that bridges legal practice, academia, alternative dispute resolution, and the Bench, making him one of Kenya’s most respected appellate jurists.   

Justice Kairu has also contributed significantly to strengthening judicial governance beyond the courtroom. He has served on several Judiciary committees and represented Kenya in regional and international judicial forums, championing reforms to improve case management, judicial independence, and access to justice. His measured approach to adjudication, emphasis on procedural fairness, and reputation for carefully reasoned judgments have earned him respect across the legal profession.