Office of The Principal Judge
The position of Principal Judge is an elective position in accordance with Article 165(2) of the Constitution. The Principal Judge works in consultation with the High Court Advisory Committee which is established under Section 23 of the High Court (Organization and Administration) Act.
The overall administration and management of the Court is vested on the Principal Judge who is responsible for ensuring orderly and prompt conduct of its business, constitution of benches of two or more judges in consultation with the Chief Justice and undertaking such other duties as may be assigned by the Chief Justice.
In discharging duties, the Principal Judge is assisted by a Chief Officer together with other members of staff. The Chief Officer is the head of staff in the Office of the Principal Judge and provides secretarial services to the High Court Advisory Committee.
Roles of the Principal Judge
Achievements
Roles of the Principal Judge
Article 165(2) of the Constitution provides for the position of the Principal Judge as the head of the High Court and his/her mandate is stipulated under Section 6 (1) (a) to (d) of The High Court (Organization and Administration) Cap 8 C. The Principal Judge of the High Court in Kenya has many responsibilities, including:
Managing the court:
The Principal Judge is responsible for the overall administration and management of the court. This includes ensuring the court’s business is conducted in an orderly and timely manner.
Constituting benches:
The Principal Judge consults with the Chief Justice to form benches of two or more Judges.
Implementing measures:
The Principal Judge promotes and implements measures to maintain the integrity of the court, including:
- Case management
- Automating records and business processes of the Court
- Protecting and sharing information of the court
- Promoting the use of Information Communication Technology
- Designating circuit courts.
Ensuring constitutional values:
The Principal Judge ensures that constitutional values and principles are applied.
Promoting relationships:
The Principal Judge fosters relationships between Judges, Judicial officers, and Judicial staff of the Court
Harmonizing functions:
The Principal Judge harmonizes the judicial and administrative functions of the court.
Overseeing standards:
The Principal Judge oversees the application of norms and standards for judges and judicial officers.
The Principal Judge is elected by the Judges of the Court from among themselves and serves a non-renewable five-year term. The Principal Judge is responsible to the Chief Justice.
Achievements
- Development of the High Court Organization and Administration Act in 2015 and regulation
- Development of the inaugural High Court Strategic Plan 2021-2025.
- Development of the Inaugural Judiciary registry Manual – High Court Registry Manual first Edition to standardize operation of the Court.
- Development of the e-Diary system
- Establishment of the High Court Advisory Committee Regional Clusters
- Recording and Transcription of cases filed in the High Court
- Sensitization of Judges, Judicial Officers and Judiciary Staff on the need to embrace the various automation initiatives of the Judiciary to ensure efficient service delivery.
- Training of the High Court Advisory Committee on the digital platforms rollout and thereafter be part of Training of Trainers for purposes of training other Judges.
- Mainstream Judiciary desks at the Huduma centers in the High Court.
- Sensitization and training of Judges, Deputy Registrars and Staff on the Policy Documents and Revised manuals.
Previous Principal Judges
Meet our previous Principal Judges.
2018 -2022
Hon Lady Justice Lydia Achode JA
Hon Lady Justice Lydia Achode graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Nairobi (1985) and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law (1986). She has an aggregate of 35 years’ experience in the legal profession as Principal Judge of the High Court (2018-2022), Judge of the High Court (from 2011), Registrar High Court, (2008 to 2011), Chief Court Administrator (2004 to 2008) and Senior Principal Magistrate (2004). She has also served as a Principal Magistrate (2000 to 2004), Senior Resident Magistrate (1994 to 2000), Resident Magistrate (1988 to 1994) and District Magistrate II (Prof) – 1986 to 1988.
2013-2018
Hon Mr Justice Richard Mwongo
Hon Mr Justice Richard Mwongo graduated from the university of Nairobi in 1986. He was admitted as Advocate of Kenya in 1988 and went to private Practice. He later become a Full member, Kenya Institute of Management (MKIM), accredited Governance Auditor since 2018, Fellow of the Institute of Certified Public Secretaries of Kenya (FCS) in 2018 and a member, faculty of the University of Cape Town-based Judicial Institute for Africa (JIFA). Hon Mr Justice Mwongo was Appointed Judge of the High Court in 2011 and worked in several Stations before being elected by the Judges of the High Court as a Principal Judge of the Court in 2013.
2010 -2013
Hon Mr Justice Mbogholi Msagha JA (Rtd)
Hon Mr Justice Mbogholi Msagha graduated with a Bachelor of Law LL.B in 1976 from the University of Dar es salaam. He was admitted as an Advocate of Kenya in 1978, and went into private practice in Mombasa. Mbogholi served as a member of the Rent Restriction Tribunal and of the Municipality of Mombasa Valuation Court. He was later appointed Judge of the High Court in 1987. He was elected by the judges of the High Court to the position of principal judge, a post created by the new Constitution in 2010. The principal judge is the head of the High Court.
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