The High Court of Kenya is a court of unlimited original jurisdiction in criminal and civil matters established under article 165 of the

constitution of Kenya The Constitution of Kenya is the supreme lawof the Republic of Kenya. There have been three significant versions of the constitution, with the most recent redraft being enabled in 2010. The 2010 edition replaced the 1963 independence constitu ...

. It also has supervisory jurisdiction over all other subordinate courts and any other persons, body or authority exercising a judicial or quasi-judicial function. It was known as the Supreme Court of Kenya until 1964 and its name has remain unchanged since then.

Jurisdiction

The High Court has the following jurisdiction: * unlimited original jurisdiction in criminal and civil matters; * jurisdiction to determine the question whether a right or fundamental freedom in the Bill of Rights has been denied, violated, infringed or threatened; * jurisdiction to hear an appeal from a decision of a tribunal appointed to consider the removal of a person from office, other than a tribunal appointed to consider the removal of Judges from office; * jurisdiction to hear any question respecting the interpretation of the Constitution including the determination of the question whether any law is inconsistent with or in contravention of the Constitution, the question whether anything said to be done under the authority of the Constitution or of any law is inconsistent with, or in contravention of, the Constitution, any matter relating to constitutional powers of State organs in respect of county governments and any matter relating to the constitutional relationship between the levels of government, and a question relating to conflict of laws. The High Court is also a court of admiralty, and exercises admiralty jurisdiction in all matters arising on the high seas, or in territorial waters, or upon any lake or other navigable inland waters in Kenya.

Organization

There are forty one High Court stations spread throughout 39 Counties in Kenya, with ongoing work to ensure that each of the 47 Counties has at least one High Court station. In stations like Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu where the High Court has a heavy caseload and multiple Judges, the Court is divided into Divisions. Each station or division is headed by a Presiding Judge. The Divisions are: * Family & Children Division * Commercial Division * Admiralty Division * Constitutional and Human Rights Division * Judicial Review Division * Criminal Division * Civil Division * Anti-Corruption & Economic Crimes Division

Composition

The High Court consists of a Principal Judge and not more than two hundred judges. There are presently 64 Judges of the High Court with ongoing recruitment of 20 additional Judges. A single Judge presides over the Court. However, parties to a case are at liberty to request that their cases be heard by an odd number of Judges being not less than three, where the case raises significant constitutional issues. In such cases, the Chief Justice picks the Judges who are to preside over these cases. Most of these cases are heard by 3 Judges. A few exceptional cases are heard by five Judges. The court is headed by a Principal Judge who is elected by the Judges of the Court from among themselves. The current Principal Judge of the Court is Hon. Erick Kennedy Ogola who was elected on September 15, 2022 for a non-renewable five year term.

Current Justices

The following are the current justices of the High Court * Hon. Mr. Justice Erick Kennedy Ogola - Principal Judge * Hon. Justice Hatari Peter George Waweru * Hon. Lady Justice Roseline P.V. Wendoh * Hon. Justice George Matatia Abaleka Dulu * Hon. Lady Justice Mary Muhanji Kasango * Hon. Justice Joseph R. Karanja * Hon. Lady Justice Florence N. Muchemi * Hon. Lady Justice Maureen Akinyi Odero * Hon. Justice Said Juma Chitembwe * Hon. Justice Joseph Sergon RJ * Hon. Justice Edward Muthoga Muriithi * Hon. Justice George Kanyi Kimondo * Hon. Justice David Amilcar S. Majanja - Representative in the Judicial Service Commission * Hon. Lady Justice Cecilia Wathaiya Githua * Hon. Lady Justice Christine W. Meoli * Hon. Lady Justice Hedwig Imbosa Ong’udi * Hon. Lady Justice Stella Ngali Mutuku * Hon. Justice James Wakiaga * Hon. Lady Justice Rose Atieno Ougo * Hon. Justice George Vincent Odunga * Hon. Justice Hilary Kiplagat Chemitei * Hon. Lady Justice Roseline C. Lagat Korir * Hon. Justice Richard Mururu Mwongo * Hon. Justice Alfred Mabeya * Hon. Lady Justice Abigail Mshila * Hon. Justice Musyoka William Musya * Hon. Lady Justice Jacqueline N. Kamau * Hon. Justice Ngaah Jairus * Hon. Justice Francis Muthuku Gikonyo * Hon. Lady Justice Esther Nyambura Maina * Hon. Lady Justice Lilian Nambwire Mutende * Hon. Justice Enock Mwita * Hon. Justice Charles Kariuki * Hon. Justice Antony Murima * Hon. Justice Robert Limo * Hon. Lady Justice Roselyne Aburili * Hon. Justice Grace Nzioka * Hon. Justice Justus Bwonwonga * Hon. Lady Justice Janet Mulwa * Hon. Lady Justice Margaret Muigai * Hon. Justice Stephen Riechi * Hon. Justice Olga Sewe * Hon. Lady Justice Wilfrida Okwany * Hon. Justice Patrick Otieno * Hon. Justice Anthony Ndung’u * Hon. Lady Justice Mugure Thande * Hon. Lady Justice Margaret Mwangi * Hon. Justice Stephen Githinji * Hon. Lady Justice Dorah O. Chepkwony * Hon. Lady Justice Asenath Ongeri * Hon. Justice Kiarie Waweru Kiarie * Hon. Lady Justice Lucy Njuguna * Hon. Justice Reuben Nyakundi * Hon. Mr. Justice Onyiego John Nyabuto * Hon. Lady Justice Cherere Thrispisa Wanjiku Wamae * Hon. Mr. Justice Ogola Daniel Ogembo * Hon. Lady Justice Gitari Lucy Waruguru * Hon. Lady Justice Ngetich Rachel C. Biomondo * Hon. Mr. Justice Kemei David Kipyegomen * Hon. Lady Justice Onginjo Anne Colleta Apondi * Hon. Lady Justice Matheka Teresia Mumbua * Hon. Mr. Justice Nyagah Jesse Njagi * Hon. Justice Martin Muya

Former Justices

The following are some of the former justices of the High Court * Hon. Mr Justice John W Mwera - (Appointed Judge Of Appeal On November 8, 2012) * Hon. Mr Justice George B M Kariuki -(Appointed Judge Of Appeal On November 8, 2012) * Hon. Mr Justice Mohammed K Ibrahim - (Appointed Judge Of The Supreme Court On June 16, 2011) * Hon. (Prof.) Justice Jackton Boma Ojwang -(Appointed Judge Of The Supreme Court On June 16, 2011) * Hon. Mr Justice Daniel K Musinga - (Appointed Judge Of Appeal On November 8, 2012) * Hon. Mr Justice Festus Azangalala - (Appointed Judge Of Appeal On November 8, 2012) * Hon. Mr Justice Milton S A Makhandia - (Appointed Judge Of Appeal On November 8, 2012) * Hon. Mr Justice Abudullahi Warsame - (Appointed Judge Of Appeal On November 8, 2012) * Hon. Mr Justice William Ouko -(Appointed Judge Of Appeal On November 8, 2012) * Hon. Lady Justice Philomena Mbete Mwilu -(Appointed Judge Of Appeal On November 8, 2012) * Hon. Lady Justice Grace Ngenye Wangui - Appointed Judge of Appeal * Hon. Lady Justice Lydia Awino Achode - Appointed Judge of Appeal * Hon. Lady Justice Beatrice Thuranira Jaden - Deceased * Hon. Mr. Justice George Vincent Odunga - Appointed Judge of Appeal * Hon. Mr. Justice Weldon Korir Kipyegon - Appointed Judge of Appeal * Hon. Lady Justice Pauline Nyamweya - Appointed Judge of Appeal * Hon. Lady Justice Jessie W Lesiit - Appointed Judge of Appeal * Hon. Mr Justice John Mativo - Appointed Judge of Appeal * Hon. Mr. Justice Amraphael Mbogholi Msagha - Appointed Judge of Appeal * Hon. Mr Justice Frederick A Ochieng’ - Appointed Judge of Appeal * Hon. Mr Justice Luka K Kimaru - Appointed Judge of Appeal * Hon. Mr Justice A O Muchelule - Appointed Judge of Appeal * Hon. Justice (Prof.) Joel Ngugi Mwaura - Appointed Judge of Appeal * Hon. Lady Ngugi Grace Mumbi - Appointed Judge of Appeal

References

{{Reflist Government of Kenya Judiciary of Kenya Courts and tribunals with year of establishment missing