NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 14 –  The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has submitted names for appointment as the Court of Appeal Judges. 

The select seven include Lady Justice Achode Lydia Awino,  Justice Kimaru Luka Kiprotich, Gachoka Paul Mwaniki SC, Justice Mativo John Mutinga, Lady Justice Ngenye Grace Wangui, Lady Justice Aroni Abida Ali and Justice Ochieng’ Frederick Andago, whose names have been forwarded to President Uhuru Kenyatta for consideration. 

“After lengthy deliberate and careful consideration of the performance of the various candidates and based on the Constitutional imperative of merit, gender, regional balance, affirmative action and public interest, the JSC recommended their appointment,” said Chief Justice Martha Koome.

Justice Luka Kimaru is the presiding judge of the High Court Kitale while Paul Mwaniki Gachoka is the Founding Partner at MG Law Advocates (Formerly Mwaniki Gachoka & Co Advocates). 

Mwaniki has extensive experience in representing clients in multi-disciplinary commercial, conveyancing services & civil cases. 

Mwaniki has handled various precedent cases. His areas of specialization include; Litigation, Arbitration & Mediation, Public Procurement, Commercial Law, Conveyancing and Real Estate Management and Establishment of Financial Institutions. 

On her part Justice Achode Lydia Awino is experienced in the areas of Civil and Criminal Law and Procedure, Commercial Litigation, Taxation Law, as well as Gender and Family Law having routinely adjudicated on these areas of law as magistrate for a period spanning over twenty years.

Her key competencies include; integrity, ethics, leadership, teamwork, training, recognition, communication and continuous improvement.

She began her career on the bench as a District Magistrate II (Prof.) at the Kericho Law Courts in 1986 and was promoted two years later to the post of Resident Magistrate.

On September 6, 2011, Justice Achode was appointed to the bench as a Judge of the High Court. Prior to her appointment to the Bench she was the Registrar of the High Court of Kenya.

Prior to this she had been the Chief Court Administrator having been appointed to that position in the year 2004.

Justice Ochieng Frederick Andago,has gained a reputation as a hardworking, understanding and organized legal practitioner, who had the ability to quickly grasp complex legal issues and to work with clarity and efficiency. He has earned the respect of both the bar and the bench as a time conscious, honest and hardworking judge.

His leadership and administrative ability together with his good interpersonal skills and rapport

with peers has seen him elected to various leadership positions, such as the delegate representing the High Court at the Sheria Sacco; Council member and ultimately the President of the East African Magistrates and Judges Association (EAMJA) and Council Member and ultimately the President of the Kenya Magistrates and Judges Association (KMJA). 

Lady Justice Ngenye Grace Wangui is a  judge of the High Court (Criminal Division), and is  the chairperson of the National Committee on Criminal Justice Reforms.