By KPC Reporter
Chief Justice Martha Koome on Thursday led the Judiciary and the wider legal fraternity in the closing of file proceedings held in honour of the late Frederick Ochieng, who passed away in September 2025.
The ceremony brought together judges, judicial officers, advocates, and leaders from across the legal sector to celebrate the life and legacy of the distinguished Judge of Appeal, remembered for his integrity, intellect, and commitment to justice.
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Presiding over a bench that included Court of Appeal President Daniel Musinga, Justice Fatuma Sichale, Employment and Labour Relations Court Principal Judge Monica Mbaru, and Environment and Land Court Principal Judge Oscar Angote, CJ Koome described Justice Ochieng as “a jurist of rare distinction.”
She said the late judge served the Judiciary with fidelity, courage, and fairness, while treating all who appeared before him with dignity.
“Justice Ochieng served with exceptional commitment and unwavering dedication to the Constitution and the rule of law,” said CJ Koome.
She noted that Justice Ochieng joined the Judiciary in 2003 as a High Court judge after nearly two decades in private legal practice at Kaplan and Stratton Advocates, where he built a strong reputation in commercial and civil law.
According to the Chief Justice, he served with distinction in several stations and divisions, including Kitale, Kakamega, Kisumu, the Civil Division, Criminal Division, and the Commercial and Admiralty Division in Nairobi.
“In every station, he left an indelible mark not only through his judgments, but also through the fairness, humility, and intellectual rigour with which he conducted proceedings,” she said.
CJ Koome also hailed Justice Ochieng’s contribution to Kenya’s commercial law jurisprudence and his strong support for alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
“At the time of his passing, he was serving as Chairperson of the Court-Annexed Mediation Taskforce, leading one of the Judiciary’s most transformative access-to-justice initiatives,” she said.
Speakers at the proceedings described Justice Ochieng as a brilliant legal mind, mentor, and humble jurist whose judgments were well researched and often blended with humour.
They praised his role in championing court-annexed mediation and strengthening the administration of justice in Kenya.
The Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetang’ula, who attended the proceedings, remembered Justice Ochieng as a devoted family man, hardworking judge, and fair-minded legal scholar.
-This story was originally published by the Kenya Judiciary online.
