Justice Gatembu Kairu Biography: Age, Education, Career & Court of Appeal President
If you have been searching for a detailed Justice Gatembu Kairu biography, you are looking at the right place. On June 22, 2026, Justice Steven Gatembu Kairu made history by being elected the new President of the Court of Appeal of Kenya, making him one of the most talked-about names in the country’s legal world right now. This article covers everything you need to know about who he is, where he came from, his legal career, and what this major milestone means for Kenya’s judiciary.
Who Is Justice Gatembu Kairu and Why Does He Matter?
Justice Steven Gatembu Kairu is a Kenyan jurist, legal scholar, arbitrator, and Judge of the Court of Appeal. He is one of the most experienced and respected legal minds in Kenya, with a career that spans private legal practice, university teaching, professional arbitration, and over a decade of service as an appellate court judge.
He matters because the Court of Appeal is Kenya’s second-highest court. It handles appeals from the High Court and other superior courts across the entire country. The President of that court has enormous influence over how justice is administered in Kenya. When Justice Gatembu Kairu was elected to that position on June 22, 2026, it was not just a career milestone for him. It was a significant moment for the entire Kenyan justice system.
⚖ Quick Context: The President of the Court of Appeal in Kenya is responsible for providing judicial and administrative leadership to all appellate court judges. The position is one of the most senior in the entire Kenyan Judiciary, sitting just below the Chief Justice and Deputy Chief Justice.
Beyond the title, Justice Gatembu Kairu is known among lawyers and legal scholars for the quality of his written judgments, his deep knowledge of commercial and constitutional law, and his background as an academic who helped train many of Kenya’s current legal professionals at the University of Nairobi.
Why Justice Gatembu Kairu Is Trending in June 2026
On June 22, 2026, judges of the Court of Appeal held an election to choose a new President for the court. The process was conducted through a secret ballot, overseen by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), giving it full credibility and transparency.
📅 Breaking: June 22, 2026 Justice Gatembu Kairu won the election for President of the Court of Appeal, securing 26 votes out of 41 ballots cast. He defeated three experienced candidates: Lady Justice Lydia Achode, Justice Patrick Kiage, and Lady Justice Agnes Murgor.
The election was needed because Justice Daniel Musinga, the previous President of the Court of Appeal, completed his five-year non-renewable term on May 24, 2026. A successor had to be chosen from within the court’s own judges, and Justice Gatembu Kairu emerged as the clear choice of his peers.
Speaking after the result was announced, Justice Kairu said he was humbled by the trust his colleagues placed in him. He promised to serve the court and the people of Kenya with diligence, integrity, and faithfulness to the Constitution. Those words carry real weight coming from someone who has spent decades building a reputation for exactly those qualities.
🕑 What This Means: With Justice Gatembu Kairu now at the helm of the Court of Appeal, legal practitioners across Kenya are watching closely. His background in commercial law, arbitration, and constitutional matters positions him well to lead the court through an active period of complex legal cases.
Full Biography: Everything You Need to Know About Justice Gatembu Kairu
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Justice Steven Gatembu Kairu |
| Date of Birth | July 1960 |
| Age (2026) | 65 years old |
| Nationality | Kenyan |
| Profession | Judge, Legal Scholar, Arbitrator |
| Court | Court of Appeal, Kenya |
| Current Position | President, Court of Appeal (from June 22, 2026) |
| First Degree | Bachelor of Laws (LLB), University of Nairobi, 1984 |
| Diploma | Diploma in Law, Kenya School of Law, 1985 |
| Masters Degree | Master of Laws (LLM), Boston University, USA, 1990 |
| Admitted to Bar | 1985 |
| Appointed to Court of Appeal | November 2012 |
| Professional Title | FCIArb (Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators) |
Early Life and Family Background
Justice Steven Gatembu Kairu was born in July 1960. He grew up in Kenya during a period when the country was still finding its footing as a young independent nation. His exact place of birth and details about his family background are not part of his public official records, as he is a figure who, like many senior judges, keeps personal life details away from public commentary.
What is evident from his career is that his upbringing and early environment gave him a strong foundation for academic discipline and hard work. He pursued university education at a time when access to law school in Kenya was highly competitive, which speaks to his intellectual ability and determination from an early age.
Career
After graduating from the University of Nairobi in 1984 and completing his diploma at the Kenya School of Law in 1985, Justice Gatembu Kairu was admitted to the bar that same year. His first professional role was as a Legal Assistant at Hamilton Harrison and Mathews Advocates, one of Kenya’s most established law firms. That early experience gave him grounding in rigorous legal practice at the highest level.
He then moved on to work as an Associate at Kimani Kairu and Company Advocates before taking one of the most defining steps of his private practice career. In 1993, he co-founded the law firm Kairu and McCourt Advocates, where he remained a partner until 2009. During those years, he handled civil litigation across the High Court, subordinate courts, and the Court of Appeal, as well as arbitration proceedings in banking, commercial insurance, and general arbitration law.
In 2009, Justice Kairu made the move to become a full-time arbitrator and mediator, a role that placed him at the center of resolving complex commercial disputes outside the formal courtroom. He earned his fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb), a globally recognized qualification that confirmed his standing as an expert in dispute resolution.
Alongside his private practice and arbitration work, Justice Kairu was building a parallel career in academia. From 1990 onwards, he lectured at the University of Nairobi School of Law, teaching subjects including Alternative Dispute Resolution, Banking Law, Civil Procedure and Practice, Law of Torts, Family Law, and Law of International Institutions. He also taught at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) and facilitated training workshops in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Tanzania through the Center for Africa Peace and Conflict Resolution, California State University.
In 2012, President Mwai Kibaki appointed Justice Kairu as a Judge of the Court of Appeal following a competitive recruitment process by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). He was formally installed in November 2012 and has served the appellate court with distinction for over a decade. On June 22, 2026, his peers elected him President of that court, representing the highest point of a career built on expertise, integrity, and public service.
Age
Justice Gatembu Kairu was born in July 1960, making him 65 years old as of June 2026. His age places him among the senior statesmen of Kenya’s judiciary. He brings over four decades of legal experience to his new role as President of the Court of Appeal, which is exactly the kind of depth that such a position demands.
Religion
Justice Gatembu Kairu has not made his personal religious beliefs a subject of public record or official biography. Like most senior Kenyan judges, he keeps matters of personal faith private and separate from his judicial functions. His public conduct and judicial philosophy are guided by the Constitution of Kenya and the rule of law.
Wife and Family
Justice Gatembu Kairu has not disclosed details about his wife or personal family life in public records or official biographies. Senior members of the Kenyan judiciary typically maintain strict boundaries between their professional roles and private lives, and Justice Kairu is no exception. This approach is consistent with judicial norms that protect the independence and dignity of the bench.
Net Worth
Justice Gatembu Kairu’s personal net worth is not publicly disclosed. As a Judge of the Court of Appeal and now its President, his income comes from his judicial salary, which is set and governed by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission of Kenya. Before his judicial appointment, he had a successful career in private legal practice spanning nearly three decades, which would have been financially rewarding. No verified figure for his personal net worth is available in public records.
Parents
The names and backgrounds of Justice Gatembu Kairu’s parents are not part of his official public records. His official biography on the Kenya Judiciary website focuses entirely on his academic qualifications and professional career. This is standard for judicial biographies in Kenya, where personal background is treated as a private matter separate from a judge’s professional record.
Height
Justice Gatembu Kairu’s height is not documented in any official or credible public record. Physical descriptions are not typically part of judicial biographies in Kenya, and no verified measurement has been shared through any official channel.
Education
Justice Gatembu Kairu’s educational record is one of the most impressive in the Kenyan judiciary. He earned his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the University of Nairobi in 1984, completing his legal studies at Kenya’s premier university. The following year, in 1985, he obtained his Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law, which formally qualified him for admission to the bar.
He then pursued postgraduate education in the United States, earning a Master of Laws (LLM) degree with a specialization in Banking Law from Boston University in 1990. That international academic experience gave him exposure to global legal standards and positioned him as a strong voice in commercial and financial law throughout his career.
State of Origin
Justice Gatembu Kairu is Kenyan. His specific county or region of origin within Kenya has not been confirmed in official records or verified biographical sources. He has built and maintained his career entirely within the Kenyan legal system, serving across different courts and jurisdictions including Nairobi and Mombasa.
Social Media and Official Profile
Justice Gatembu Kairu maintains a professional LinkedIn presence, though it is not heavily active as is typical for senior judicial officers. His official biography is available on the Kenya Judiciary website. You can visit the links below for verified official information:
- Kenya Judiciary Official Profile: judiciary.go.ke
- Council of Europe Profile: coe.int
- LinkedIn: Steven Gatembu Kairu on LinkedIn
Frequently Asked Questions About Justice Gatembu Kairu
Who is Justice Gatembu Kairu?
Justice Steven Gatembu Kairu is a Kenyan Judge of Appeal and legal scholar who was appointed to the Court of Appeal in November 2012. On June 22, 2026, he was elected President of the Court of Appeal of Kenya, making him one of the most senior judicial officers in the country. He holds a Master of Laws degree from Boston University and has decades of experience in private legal practice, arbitration, and academic teaching.
When was Justice Gatembu Kairu elected President of the Court of Appeal?
Justice Gatembu Kairu was elected President of the Court of Appeal on June 22, 2026. He won the election conducted by judges of the appellate court through a secret ballot overseen by the IEBC, receiving 26 out of 41 votes cast. He succeeded Justice Daniel Musinga, whose five-year non-renewable term ended on May 24, 2026.
How old is Justice Gatembu Kairu?
Justice Gatembu Kairu was born in July 1960, making him 65 years old as of June 2026. He brings over four decades of combined experience in legal practice, academic teaching, arbitration, and judicial service to his new role as President of the Court of Appeal.
What are Justice Gatembu Kairu’s qualifications?
Justice Gatembu Kairu holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Nairobi (1984), a Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law (1985), and a Master of Laws (LLM) in Banking Law from Boston University, USA (1990). He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb), one of the most respected professional qualifications in dispute resolution globally.
What courts did Justice Gatembu Kairu appear in before becoming a judge?
Before his appointment to the bench, Justice Gatembu Kairu appeared as an advocate in the High Court of Kenya, the Court of Appeal, and subordinate courts across the country. His work covered civil litigation, banking law, commercial insurance, and arbitration proceedings. He was also admitted as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya in 1985.
Did Justice Gatembu Kairu teach law?
Yes. Justice Gatembu Kairu lectured at the University of Nairobi School of Law from 1990, teaching subjects including Alternative Dispute Resolution, Banking Law, Civil Procedure and Practice, Law of Torts, and Law of International Institutions. He also taught at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) and facilitated training workshops in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Tanzania.
Who did Justice Gatembu Kairu defeat in the 2026 Court of Appeal presidential election?
Justice Gatembu Kairu defeated three candidates in the June 22, 2026 election. They were Lady Justice Lydia Achode, Justice Patrick Kiage, and Lady Justice Agnes Murgor. He won convincingly with 26 votes from the 41 ballots cast by judges of the appellate court.
What law firm did Justice Gatembu Kairu co-found?
Justice Gatembu Kairu co-founded the law firm Kairu and McCourt Advocates in 1993. He remained a partner at the firm until 2009, when he left private practice to focus on full-time arbitration and mediation work. Before co-founding that firm, he worked at Hamilton Harrison and Mathews Advocates and at Kimani Kairu and Company Advocates.
Final Word
Justice Steven Gatembu Kairu is not someone who appeared overnight. He is the product of over four decades of disciplined, purposeful work across every level of Kenya’s legal system. From a young law graduate at the University of Nairobi in 1984, to a partner at a respected law firm, to a full-time arbitrator, to a lecturer who shaped thousands of young Kenyan lawyers, to a Court of Appeal judge, and now to the President of that same court, his path has been built one step at a time.
His election on June 22, 2026 matters beyond the personal achievement. It places a man with deep roots in commercial law, dispute resolution, and legal education at the top of Kenya’s second-highest court at a time when the judiciary is handling some of the most complex constitutional and public interest cases in the country’s recent history. His colleagues chose him decisively, and that choice speaks to the trust he has earned over many years.
For anyone looking to understand the Kenyan judiciary or track the career of one of its most accomplished serving judges, the name Justice Steven Gatembu Kairu is one that deserves attention. His story is a reminder that the highest positions in public service are earned, not given, and that building a career on genuine knowledge and integrity is still the surest way to the top.
Disclaimer: This article is written for informational and educational purposes only. All facts presented here have been sourced from official Kenya Judiciary records, The Standard, The Star, Daily Nation, and other credible public sources as of June 22, 2026. Details such as personal family information and net worth are not publicly available and have been noted as such. If any information requires correction, please contact us. This website has no affiliation with Justice Gatembu Kairu or the Kenya Judiciary.
Editorial Notice
The biography above is compiled from publicly available sources and is intended for general informational purposes only. At PeopleCabal, we are committed to accuracy — however, public records evolve, and some details may change over time. If you notice anything that requires a correction or update, we welcome you to reach out to us directly.
