Judge Chacha Mwita: Sometimes I Have to Subscribe to Websites to Access My Own Rulings

High Court Judge Chacha Mwita has revealed that he sometimes has to pay for online subscriptions to access judgments he personally authored, highlighting the international reach of Kenyan jurisprudence.

Speaking during Judicial Service Commission (JSC) interviews, held to fill vacancies in the Court of Appeal, Mwita noted that the experience, though surprising, demonstrates how widely his decisions are circulated and cited beyond Kenya.

“A good judge doesn’t have to announce himself. His judgments will travel across the world,” Mwita said, borrowing from a well-known judicial maxim to describe the impact of his work.

He added, “Sometimes I am surprised when I am doing my own research to find my own judgment on a website where I am asked to subscribe just to get my own decision.”

For Mwita, the irony of paying to read his own work is secondary to the significance of its circulation. He said it demonstrates the ‘pollination of jurisprudence across the world,’ showing that Kenyan court decisions are increasingly influencing legal thinking in other jurisdictions.

Mwita is among the candidates appearing before the JSC panel, chaired by Chief Justice Martha Koome, during interviews that began on Monday, January 12, 2026. 

The recruitment exercise seeks to fill 15 vacancies in the Court of Appeal from a shortlist of 35 candidates drawn from the High Court, specialised courts, and other eligible judicial officers.

During his interview, Mwita emphasised the personal qualities and professional skills he brings to the appellate bench, including hard work, discipline, patience, simplicity, efficiency, and consistency. 

He highlighted that these traits have guided his judicial career and are critical in reducing delays and strengthening public confidence in the justice system.

He also pointed to his record on the bench, both individually and as part of multi-judge panels, which he said demonstrates his approach to constitutional interpretation, respect for precedent, and ability to work collaboratively—essential qualities for the Court of Appeal.