Court of Appeal Judge Wanjiru Karanja in race to join International Criminal Court

Justice Karanja, currently the most senior Judge in the Court of Appeal, is one of 15 candidates from around the world who will face off in the election that will take place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, from December 4 to 14, 2023.

She has been nominated for inclusion in List A which includes candidates with established competence in criminal law and procedure, as well as the necessary experience in criminal law.

Judge Wanjiru Karanja started her career in 1985 as a District Magistrate where she handled criminal matters which included offences like aggravated assault, burglary and theft, rape and defilement, manslaughter, robberies and other offences.

"She rose up the ladder as years went by and the jurisdiction expanded to include murder and other complicated matters. In 2004, the nominee was promoted to Judge of the High Court where other than handling murder trials in the first instance, the nominee covered all first-appeals in criminal as well as civil matters. Judge Wanjiru Karanja has therefore dealt with cases in line with the provisions of article 36, paragraph 8 (b), of the Rome Statute," reads a statement from The Embassy of Kenya in The Hague.

In December 2011, she was promoted to the Court of Appeal, then the highest Court in the land, where she continued handling appeals in criminal and civil matters.

In 2003, when President Kibaki embarked on the infamous "radical surgery" in the Judiciary, Justice Karanja was one of three members of the Anti-Corruption and Integrity Committee that was set up to help clean up the corrupt arm of government.

"Judge Wanjiru Karanja is of impeccable moral character and her integrity and impartiality are beyond reproach... Judge Wanjiru Karanja is well suited to sit as a Judge of the International Criminal Court," reads the statement from The Embassy of Kenya in The Hague.