Achode becomes Kenyas first female High Court Principal Judge

Justice Lydia Achode has been sworn in as the Principal Judge of the High Court of Kenya.

She becomes the country’s first female judge to be elected to the position and the second person under the new Constitution.

Achode takes over from Justice Richard Mwongo whose term ended after serving as Principal Judge for five years.

She got 43 out of 80 votes beating her rivals Justices Mary Kasongo and Asenath Ongeri.

She was elected during an exercise conducted by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) in Mombasa.

Chief Justice David Maraga presided over the installation ceremony on Tuesday.

“What is expected of your role now is to ensure that the performance of the court is improved; that, in consultation with the Chief Registrar, Judges of the Court are properly facilitated; and that Wanjiku derives the real benefit of the improvements you oversee,” he said.

On her part, Justice Achode assured judges that she would ensure better governance and management of the Judiciary and its welfare.