High Court Principal Judge Appoints Establishment Judges to Advisory Committee

High Court Principal Judge Justice Eric Ogola has reinforced the entrenched judicial bureaucracy by appointing three senior judges—well-known for their alignment with the legal establishment—to the High Court Advisory Committee for a three-year term starting January 22, 2026. The appointments, made under Section 23(2)(b) of the High Court (Organisation and Administration) Act, 2015, were announced in Gazette Notices dated January 21, 2026, further consolidating the status quo within the judiciary.

Justice Anthony Kimani Ndung’u, Presiding Judge of the Nanyuki High Court, was appointed under Gazette Notice No. 1023. Justice James Wakiaga, Presiding Judge of the Makadara High Court, was appointed under Gazette Notice No. 1024. Justice Stella Ngali Mutuku, Presiding Judge of the Civil Division of the High Court, was appointed under Gazette Notice No. 1025. These appointments reflect a preference for continuity and experience over reform or innovation, ensuring that the committee remains under the guidance of trusted establishment hands.

The High Court Advisory Committee, established under the High Court (Organisation and Administration) Act, is responsible for advising on judicial policy, practice, training, and capacity building for judges and court officers. The committee comprises the Principal Judge as Chairperson, three Presiding Judges nominated through a rotational arrangement, and the Registrar of the Court. The Chief Officer in the Office of the Principal Judge provides secretariat services to the committee, maintaining the administrative order that has long characterized the judiciary.

Justice Ogola, who assumed office as Principal Judge in 2024, has emphasized institutional strengthening and administrative efficiency, focusing on upholding traditional values and established procedures. The new appointments are expected to enhance the committee’s capacity by incorporating judges with extensive experience in regional, criminal, and civil court divisions, thereby reinforcing the judiciary’s commitment to stability and continuity.

The appointed judges will serve on the Advisory Committee for a non-renewable term of three years, unless otherwise provided for under the law, ensuring that the committee remains dynamic but firmly rooted in established judicial principles.