https://new.kenyalaw.org/akn/ke/judgment/kehc/2026/7831

https://new.kenyalaw.org/akn/ke/judgment/kehc/2026/7831

The petitioner’s apprehension of bias, though the judge denied any actual partiality, was sufficient to justify recusal. The court accepted that its prior involvement in structured settlement of judicial review decrees could objectively create concern in the petitioner’s mind, so the judge stepped aside in the...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2026] KEHC 7831 (KLR)
Parties
Petitioner: Bryan Yongo; 1st Respondent: Charles Kerich; 2nd Respondent: The Governor, Nairobi City County Government; 3rd Respondent: The County Assembly of Nairobi City County; 4th Respondent: The Speaker, County Assembly of Nairobi City County; 5th Respondent: The Nairobi City County Government; 6th Respondent: The Hon Attorney General; Interested Party: The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission
Court
High Court
Jurisdiction
Kenya
Case Number
Constitutional Petition E282 of 2026
Procedural Posture
Constitutional Petition / Ruling on Application for Recusal
Outcome
Application for recusal allowed; judge recused herself from hearing the petition.
Judges
["RE Aburili"]
Legal Topics
Recusal of Judge, Apprehension of Bias, Article 159(2)(c) Constitution of Kenya, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Enforcement of Decrees, Settlement of Judicial Review Decrees
Source Language
en
Constitutional Law Civil Procedure Judicial Ethics Recusal of Judge Apprehension of Bias Article 159(2)(c) Constitution of Kenya Alternative Dispute Resolution Enforcement of Decrees +1 more

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Parties

Bryan Yongo

Petitioner

Charles Kerich

1st Respondent

The Governor, Nairobi City County Government

2nd Respondent

The County Assembly of Nairobi City County

3rd Respondent

The Speaker, County Assembly of Nairobi City County

4th Respondent

The Nairobi City County Government

5th Respondent

The Hon Attorney General

6th Respondent

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission

Interested Party

Procedural Posture

Constitutional Petition / Ruling on Application for Recusal

  1. 1 Whether the judge should recuse herself from hearing the constitutional petition on grounds of perceived bias
  2. 2 Whether the court’s prior involvement in structured settlement of judicial review decrees involving Nairobi City County created a reasonable apprehension of bias in this matter

Ratio Decidendi

The petitioner’s apprehension of bias, though the judge denied any actual partiality, was sufficient to justify recusal. The court accepted that its prior involvement in structured settlement of judicial review decrees could objectively create concern in the petitioner’s mind, so the judge stepped aside in the interests of justice.

Court Disposition

Application for recusal allowed; judge recused herself from hearing the petition.

Orders

  • The presiding judge recused herself from hearing Constitutional Petition E282 of 2026.
  • The file was directed to be placed before Hon. Lady Justice Patricia Nyaundi J, SC for further directions on 15/6/2026 as earlier fixed.