The judiciary fraternity has been thrown into mourning following the death of Court of Appeal Judge Fred Ochieng early Wednesday, as confirmed by Chief Justice Martha Koome.
In a statement, the CJ Koome praised Justice Ochieng as a “sharp legal mind committed to justice,” recognising his major role in shaping commercial law and championing mediation, even before he joined the judiciary in 2003.
“He will be fondly remembered as a towering figure in the development of Kenya’s commercial law jurisprudence and as a strong advocate for the promotion of alternative dispute resolution,” CJ Koome said.
At the time of his death, Justice Ochieng was the Chairperson of the Court Annexed Mediation Taskforce, leading efforts to expand mediation services within the court system nationwide.
Former Law Society of Kenya President Nelson Havi is among those who mourned the judge. In a statement on X, Havi eulogised Justice Ochieng as a judge who combined a jovial, light-hearted nature with careful and decisive rulings.
“A jovial, comical, but deliberate and decisive Judge he was. I won and lost many cases before Justice Fred Ochieng, but never appealed and defended any appeal from him,” Havi said. “Everyone was satisfied. A good Judge has signed and delivered his final decision. There is no right of appeal.”
- High Court Judge David Majanja dies suddenly in Nairobi
- Final call for Jambojet founding CEO Willem Alexandar
- Magistrate Monica Kivuti dies after courtroom gun attack
Justice Ochieng joined the bench in 2003 as a High Court judge and served in Kitale, Kakamega and Kisumu. He handled cases in civil, criminal, commercial, and admiralty divisions before his promotion to the Court of Appeal in 2022.
Before his appointment to the bench, he practised as an advocate of the High Court of Kenya. The cause of his death remains undisclosed.
Email your news TIPS to Editor@nairobilawmonthly.com, and to advertise with us, call +254715061658 anytime of the day
