Profiles of 14 Judges Sworn in on Thursday

Stephen Nyangau Riechi, 55

Attended Riamoni Primary School, Gekano Secondary School and Kakamega High School before joining the University of Nairobi to study Bachelor of Laws. He qualified for a Diploma in Law at the Kenya School of Law in 1986. 

Riechi joined the Judicial Service as a District Magistrate II (Prof.) in 1986 rising through the ranks to the present grade. Until his appointment as Judge of the High Court, Riechi was serving as a Chief Magistrate, since 2006. 

Justice Riechi was admitted to the Bar in 1986.

Sewe Olga Akech, 55

Holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Nairobi, Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law and Postgraduate Certificate in Corruption Studies from University of Hong Kong. 

She served as a District Magistrate II (Prof) in 1984 and rose through the ranks to the level of Chief Magistrate.

She worked as Principal Attorney with EACC between 2005 and 2012. Until her appointment as Judge of the High Court, Justice Akech was serving at the EACC as a Regional Manager, Nyeri Office, since 2012.

Okwany Wilfrida Adhiambo Osodo, 48

Attended Lwak Girls High School for her ‘O’ and ‘A’ Levels. She holds a Masters in Business Administration and Bachelor of Laws from the University of Nairobi and a Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law. 

She has practiced as an advocate for 22 years starting with J. Ogada & Company Advocates in 1992 and then moving on to Khan & Saisi Advocates between 1993 and 1997. 

Until her appointment as judge of the High Court, Justice Osodo was the Managing Partner, Wilfrida A. Osodo & Company Advocates, since 1997.

She was admitted to the Bar in 1992.

Otieno Patrick J. Okwaro, 47

Holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Nairobi and a Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law.

Justice Okwaro started private legal practice at Ombija Wasuna and Company Advocates in 1993 before joining public service as a State Counsel at the State Law Office between 1993 and 1994. He returned to private practice working with Wasuna and Company Advocates between 1994 to 1998, with Otieno Yogo and Company Advocates between 1999 and 2010. 

Until his appointment as High Court Judge, Justice Okwaro was working with Otieno Yogo Ojuro and Company Advocates as Managing Partner since 2011.

Justice Okwaro was admitted to the Bar in 1993.

Ndungu Anthony Kimani, 46

Holds Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Nairobi and a Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law.

He attended Njambini Boys and Thika High Schools respectively. 

Justice Kimani served in private legal practice with Kihara Muttu Advocates between 1992 and 1993 before joining the public service as a State Counsel II at the Attorney General’s Chambers in 1993. In 2011, he joined the Judiciary as a District Magistrate II (Prof.) and rose through the ranks to become a Chief Magistrate. Justice Kimani was serving as a Chief Magistrate at the time of his appointment as Judge of the High Court.

Justice Kimani was admitted to the Bar in 1992.

Thande Mugure, 50

Holds a Masters of Laws degree from the University of Nairobi, Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) from University of Bombay, and Bachelor of Arts from University of Jabalpur. She attained her Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law. Justice Mugure attended Kianda High School.

She has practised as an advocate for 23 years starting out at B. W. Kamunge & Company Advocates in 1991 before moving on to Kagwe & Company Advocates between 1992 and 1997. She later moved on to Kimani Kairu & Co. Advocates between 2001 and 2005 and became a Sole Proprietor of Thande & Associates Advocates between 1997 and 2001. 

Until her appointment as High Court judge, Justice Mugure was a Partner at Kembi – Gitura & Company Advocates.

The judge was admitted to the Roll of Advocates in 1991. 

Mwangi Margaret Njoki, 48

A member of the ICPSK, holds Bachelor of Laws from the University of Nairobi and a Diploma in Law from Kenya School of Law. 

She worked as State Counsel and rose to an Assistant Deputy Public Prosecutor at the State Law Office between 1991 and 2006. 

Until her appointment as judge of the High Court, Justice Njoki was serving as the Corporation Secretary and Head of Legal Services at the Kenya Maritime Authority since 2006.

Justice Njoki was admitted to the Bar in 1991.

Githinji Stephen Murugu, 50

Holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Nairobi and Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law.

He trained in Administration of Justice at the Lund University and attended several professional development courses.  

He served as a State Counsel II at the Attorney General’s Chambers from 1993 to 1994 before joining the Judicial Service in 2011 as a District Magistrate II (Prof.). Until his appointment as judge of the High Court, Justice Murugu was serving as a Chief Magistrate since 2011. 

He was admitted to the Roll of Advocates in 1993.

Odenyo Chepkwony Dorah, 50

Holds a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Nairobi and a Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law. 

She attended Kakamega Primary School before proceeding to Lugulu and Mukumu Girls High Schools.

She joined the Judicial Service in 1991 as a District Magistrate II (Prof.) and rose through the ranks to become a Senior Principal Magistrate.  Until her appointment as Judge of the High Court, Odenyo was serving as Senior Principal Magistrate, since 2011.

She was admitted to the Bar in 1991.

Ongeri Asenath Ongeri, 53

Hholds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Nairobi and a Diploma in Law, from the Kenya School of Law.

Justice Ongeri served as State Counsel from 1988 to 1989 before joining the Judicial Service as a District Magistrate II (Prof.) in 1989 and rose to become a Chief Magistrate. 

She served as a Human Resource Manager/Legal Advisor at University of Eastern Africa, Baraton from 2009 to 2011 and as a Chairperson in the Cooperative Tribunal between 2011 and 2012. 

Until her appointment as judge of the High Court, Ongeri was serving as Chief Magistrate since 2011.

She was admitted to the Bar in 1988.

Kiarie Waweru Kiarie, 56

Attended Davis Primary School, Kipkabus Secondary School and Kangaru School Embu before proceeding to the University of Nairobi to pursue Bachelor of Laws. He attained his Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law in 1987 and later admitted to the Bar in 1988. 

He joined the Judicial Service as District Magistrate II (Prof.) in 1987 rising through the ranks to become a Chief Magistrate. 

Until his appointment as Judge of the High Court, Justice Kiarie was serving as Chief Magistrate since 2011.

Kiarie has a post admission experience of 26 years. 

Njuguna Lucy Mwihaki, 49

Attended Mahutia Primary School,  Naaro Secondary School and Kahuhia Girls High School before joining the University of Nairobi for her Bachelor of Laws degree. She joined Kenya School of Law for her Diploma in Law in 1991. 

She worked as an Advocate at C.K. Mwihia & Company Advocates in 1993 before moving on to serve as a State Counsel II at Attorney General’s Office from 1993 to 1994. She reverted to private legal practice working with Mungai Gakuru & Company Advocates from 1994 to 1997 and with the Kituo Cha Sheria between 1997 and 1998.

Until her appointment as Judge of the High Court, Mwihaki was the Proprietor at Mwihaki Njuguna & Company Advocates since 1998.

Lady Justice Mwihaki was admitted to the Bar as an Advocate of the High Court in 1993.

Mativo John Muting’a, 55

Holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree from the University of Nairobi and a Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law. 

Justice Muting’a practised as an advocate for 28 years with D. Njogu and Company Advocates in 1986, Mativo Kitulu and Company Advocates between 1989 and 1999 before joining Mativo and Company Advocates, 1999 as partner. Until his appointment as judge of the High Court, Muting’a was working with Mativo and Company Advocates.

He was admitted to the Bar in 1986.

Nyakundi Reuben Nyambati, 54, attended Miriri Primary School,  Nyansiongo and Kiabianga High Schools before joining the University of Nairobi for his Bachelor of Laws degree and the Kenya School of Law, for his Diploma in Law. 

He holds an Executive Masters in Business Administration from Jomo

Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), a Postgraduate

Scholarships in International Human Rights from the University of Minnesota, U.S.A., and a certificate in Communication Skills, Professional English Writing and U.S.A. Legal System from the University of California Davies.

He holds a certificate in Judicial Administration from the Royal Institute of Public Administration (U.K.) and a Certificate in International Humanitarian Law and Refugee Law from Oxford University.

 He joined the Judicial Service as a District Magistrate II (Prof.) in 1987 and rose through the ranks to become a Chief Magistrate.

Until his appointment as judge of the High Court, Justice Nyakundi was serving as Chief Magistrate since 2004. He was admitted to the Bar as an Advocate of the High Court in 1989.