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Justice Byram Ongaya was appointed Judge of the ELRC in 2012. He has served in Nakuru, Nyeri, Nairobi and Mombasa. Justice Ongaya practiced law from 1998 to 2004, focusing on Constitutional and Administrative Law, Judicial Review, Civil Litigation and, Public Policy and Legislative Drafting.
In 2004, he was appointed to found and head the Legal Services Department at the Public Service Commission of Kenya (PSC).In 2010, Justice Ongaya was appointed and seconded to serve as the Director of Legal Services at the Interim Independent Boundaries Review Commission (IIBRC).
He has authored and has been involved in drafting many legal instruments including policy documents and advisory legal opinions.
He holds a Master of Laws degree (LLM) - Governance and Democracy, from the University of Nairobi, 2008. He attained a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Nairobi (1998). He was admitted to
the Roll of Advocates of the High Court of Kenya in 2000.
He is a registered Certified Public Secretary of Kenya - CPS (K), and a life member of the Institute of Certified Public Secretaries of Kenya (ICPSK). He served as a member of the Editorial Committee of the Institute’s Journal, “The Management”.
The Judge is involved in community mobilisation and environmental improvement.
Lady Justice Maureen Onyango is a judge of the ELRC having been appointed in July2012.
Her experience in the legal profession spans over 20 years. She practiced for two years before venturing into the corporate world as Chief Legal Officer at the Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA), Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and thereafter, at the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE).
Justice Onyango practiced in the former Industrial Court for more than 12 years and has served as a consultant and trainer on Labour Laws, Employment and Industrial Relations. She was part of the taskforce that reviewed the Labour Laws that were enacted in 2007.
She holds a Bachelor of Law (LLB) degree from the University of Nairobi and a Diploma in Legal Practice from the Kenya School of Law. She is currently pursuing an MA in Human Rights.
The Judge has been involved in various charity walks and supports various projects for the needy. She competed and won a gold medal at the 2017 Judiciary Sports Day.
Justice Mathews Nderi Nduma was appointed Judge of the Employment and Labour Relations Court in July 2012. He was elected Principal Judge of the Court in October 2012 and served until October
2017, when his term ended. He has served as a Judge of Superior Courts in the Commonwealth for over 15 years, most of those years as the head of the Court. In addition, he was involved in robust civil and criminal litigation and provided legal services and leadership in public and international organisations.
Between 1993 and 2006, Justice Nderi worked in the Kingdom of Swaziland in different capacities as an Expatriate Crown Counsel, Senior Crown Counsel and Judge President of the Industrial Court of
Swaziland.
Prior to his appointment as a judge, he served as the Head of Legal Services for the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) from 2006 to 2007 and as Principal Legal Officer with the East African Community (EAC) in 2008.
Judge Nderi holds a Master of Laws degree (LLM) - International Trade Law, from University of Stellenbosh, Cape Town (2004), Bachelor of Laws degree (LLB) from the University of Nairobi (1987), a Diploma from the Kenya School of Law (1988), Diploma in Human Resource Management (HRM), South African Institute of Management, 1995, and Facility Accredited Mediator, Strathmore Dispute Resolution Centre, 2015. He was admitted to the Bar in 1988.
Lady Justice Monica Mbaru was appointed Judge of the ELRC in July 2012. She has served in Nairobi and Nakuru. She holds a Master of Laws (LLM) (Human Rights and Democratization in Africa) at the University of Pretoria in South Africa.
She studied Bachelor of Laws (LLB) at the University of Nairobi, a Postgraduate Diploma at the Kenya School of Law. She was admitted to Bar in the year 1996.
Justice DK Njagi Marete was appointed judge of the ELRC in July 2012. He has served in Nairobi, Kericho, Eldoret and Nyeri.
Justice Marete has worked as a lecturer at the African Nazarene University (2012) and a Senior Legal Officer at the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), 2003-2009.
He also served as a State Counsel in the Office of the Attorney General.
He holds a Master of Laws (2007) and Bachelor of Laws (1984) from the University of Nairobi. The Judge has a Post Graduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law and was admitted to the Roll of Advocates in 1985.
Justice Abuodha Jorum Nelson was appointed Judge ELRC in July 2012. He has served in Nairobi, Nyeri and Eldoret.
The Judge has worked as a Principal Evidence Analyst at Ethics and Anti- Corruption Commission (EACC). He has served as a Senior Assistant Editor at Kenya Law Reports, Secretary to the Judiciary Rules Committee (2007-2009) and was part of the team that reviewed the Civil Procedure Rules, 2010.
He has also taught at the University of Nairobi-Institute for Diplomacy and International Studies, Kenya Defence Staff College and the Kenya School of Law.
He holds a Master of Laws (LLM) (International Conflict Management and International Humanitarian), Bachelor of Laws (LLB) both from the University of Nairobi.
Lady Justice Hellen Wasilwa was appointed Judge of the ELRC in July 2012. She has served in Kisumu, Nairobi and Nakuru.
Judge Wasilwa has more than 30 years of experience in administering justice in Kenya. She joined the Judiciary in 1990 as a magistrate and rose through the ranks to her current position. Prior to her appointment as a judge, she served as the first Registrar of the then defunct Industrial Court of Kenya.
She has also been a trainer and a lecturer at the Kenya School of Law, JTI, Advocates CLE and Mount Kenya University. The Judge has served as a member of the ELRC Rules Committee (2013 to 2018) and Vice Chair of the Judiciary Human Resource Policies and Procedures Manual Taskforce (2018 to 2021).
She is currently the Vice President of the Kenya Women Judges Association and the immediate former President of the Kenya Judges Welfare Association.
She was awarded the Head of State Commendation (HSC) in 2008, for her distinguished service as a civil servant. She won the Child Jurist of the year Award- Chambers of Justice for her outstanding contribution in the protection of children as magistrate (2002). She also won the Inaugural lawyer of the Year Award - The Cradle, the Child Foundation (2002).
She holds a Master of Laws (LLM) - Environmental and Natural Resource Law, 2009, Bachelor of Laws (LLB), 1988 from the University of Nairobi and Post Graduate Diploma from the Kenya School of Law.
She has trained in International Labour Standards from the ILO Training school in Turin Italy and Advanced leadership from the Kenya School of Government. She was admitted to the Bar in 1989.
Justice Wasilwa is married and blessed with children and grandchildren.
Justice Stephen Radido was appointed judge of the ELRC in July 2012. He has served in Nairobi, Nakuru and Kisumu.
He holds a Master of Laws degree - Fundamental Rights, from the University of South Africa and Economics of Corruption from University of Passau. He attained a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Nairobi.
He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a Certified Public Secretary.
He is also a trainer of trainers, StAR World Bank Initiative on Asset Recovery.
Justice James Rika was appointed judge of the ELRC in July 2012. Before his appointment, he had served as judge of the defunct Industrial Court of Kenya having been appointed in 2006. Judge Rika also served as a transitional Principal Judge of the Industrial Court in 2012.
Prior to his appointment as Judge, Justice Rika worked in private practice from 1994 to 2006. He was part of the Kenyan Delegation to ILO 100th session in Geneva Switzerland, which adopted the 2011
Convention on Decent Work for Domestic Servants.
Judge Rika holds a Master of Laws degree (LLM) - International Dispute Resolution,
from the University of London, 2010.
He attained Bachelor of Laws (LLB) at the University of Nairobi in 1990 and a Postgraduate Diploma at the Kenya School of Law 1992. He was admitted to the Bar in 1994. He attended Starehe Boys’ Centre
from 1982 to 1987, emerging best student nationally.
The judge was awarded for exceptional judicial service by Mombasa Law Society in December 2017. He is a member of the National Council for Law Reporting (Kenya Law).
He has interest in dog breeding, sports, reading, writing and oenology.
Lady Justice Linnet Ndolo was appointed Judge of the Employment and Labour Relations Court in 2012.
She has served in Nairobi and Mombasa Stations.In addition to her court work, Judge Ndolo has served in the Committee on Development of Sexual Harassment Policy for the Judiciary, Committee on
Development of Judicial Code of Conduct and Ethics and the Judiciary Performance Measurement and Management Steering Committee (PMMSC).
She has also represented the Judiciary in the Working Group on Socio Economic Audit of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010. Judge Ndolo is currently serving in the Judiciary Rules Committee and the Employment and Labour Relations Court Rules Committee. She is a regular facilitator at the Judiciary Training Institute (JTI) and has made presentations at Judges’Colloquia.
Before joining the Judiciary, Judge Ndolo worked for the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) between 1992 and 2011 where she held various positions; starting off as the Project Secretary for Human Rights in the Justice, Peace and Reconciliation Programme. She was subsequently appointed as, In-house Legal Counsel and was later promoted to the position of Director, Human Resource and Administration.
During her time at NCCK Judge Ndolo served as Company Secretary for NCCK Subsidiary Companies. Further, she served as a member of the Task Force on Review of Laws Relating to Persons with Disabilities.
She has worked as an Ecumenical Enabler for the World Council of Churches (WCC) and as an Associate Consultant with CORAT Africa. She has done consultancy work for the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC).Judge Ndolo sat in the Board of Kenya Women Finance Trust and SMEP DTM Ltd.
She was involved in the development of the legal framework for credit information sharing for Micro Finance institutions. She has further served as chairperson of the Human Resource Committee of the All Saints Cathedral, Nairobi.
The Judge sat her Kenya Certificate of Education “O” level and Kenya Advanced Certificate of Education “A” level at the Alliance Girls’ High School. She holds a Master of Arts in Christian Ministry Leadership from the International Leadership University (2005), Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Nairobi (1988) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law(1989).
She was admitted to the Roll of Advocates in 1989.She is a Trustee and the Treasurer of the Judges’ Welfare Trust Fund.
In her work, Judge Ndolo is guided by Integrity, Fairness, Consistency and Diligence.
Justice Onesmus Makau was appointed judge of the ELRC in July 2012.
He has served in Mombasa and Nairobi.Before joining the judicial service, Justice Makau practiced law in various law firms before he founded O.N. Makau & Mulei Advocates in 1999. He practiced as a Certified Public Secretary (CPS) K and taught Law at Daystar University, Management University of Africa, and Kenya Institute of Management between 2004 and 2012.
He founded and served as a member, Director and Chairman of several Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)in Kenya including Dove Foundation, Utooni Development Organization (UDO) and Kituo cha Sheria.
Justice Makau holds a Masters of Laws (LLM) - International Trade and Investments, from the University of Nairobi (2006), a Bachelor of Laws degree (LLB) from the same University (1995) and a Diploma in Laws from the Kenya School of Law (1996).
He was admitted to the Roll of Advocates in 1996.He has served as member of Board of
Directors for several High Schools and as a Church Deacon for nearly two decades. He is married to one wife and is blessed with three children. He is a born again Christian. He enjoys swimming and watching football.
Justice Nzioki wa Makau was appointed judge of the ELRC in July 2012. He has served in Nairobi and Nyeri.
Judge Makau practiced criminal and commercial law at various law firms and as a Legal Counsel for several local companies.
He worked for the Kenya Anti- Corruption Commission (KACC) in 2001 where he was a Prosecutor in the now defunct Kenya Anti-Corruption Authority (KACA), the precursor to KACC and Ethics
and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
The Judge also served as an Attorney and Investigator from 2005 to 2012 in the defunct KACC and at the EACC.
Justice Makau holds a Master of Laws degree (LLM) - Animal and Environmental Law, from Lewis and Clark Law School, Oregon, USA.
He attained BA (Econ.), Bachelor of General Law (BGL), and Bachelor of Laws degree (LLB) degree from University of Bombay, India.
Justice Makau has served in the Judiciary Committee of Inquiry on the Status and Recovery of Judiciary Land and Assets in Kenya as member and Vice Chair.
He chairs the Human Resource Administration Committee of the Judiciary (HRAC).
Justice Makau is the Treasurer, East Africa Magistrates and Judges Association (EAMJA) and the immediate former Chair, Kenya Magistrates and Judges Association (KMJA) – Mt. Kenya Region.
He is also a lifelong conservationist, Founder and Chairman of Tsavo Trust.
Justice Christine Baari Noontatua was appointed Judge of the Employment and Labour Relations Court in 2021. Prior to her appointment, Baari was working as an Assistant Director of Legal Services at the Public Service Commission (PSC), since 2014.
During her legal practice, Justice Baari served as an Associate Advocate at Sunkuli & Company Advocates from 2005 to 2007. She has worked as Senior Legal Officer at National Environmental
Management Authority (NEMA) (2008 -2011) and Chief Legal Officer at Kenya Urban Roads Authority (2011 -2014).
Justice Baari holds a Masters of Laws degree in International Business Law from University of Cumbria (2016), Bachelor of Laws degree from Moi University (2003), Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law (2004). She was admitted to Roll of Advocates in 2005.
Justice Jacob Gakeri was appointed Judge of the Employment and Labour Relations Court in 2021. Prior to the appointment, Gakeri was serving as Secretary/CEO to the Council of Legal Education since 2018.
Previously, Gakeri lectured at the Kenya School of Professional Studies (1993- 1996), at Strathmore University from (1996-2008), and at the University of Nairobi (1996-2011). In 2015, he moved to the Council of Legal Education working as Director, Quality Assurance until 2016 and as Director of Examinations and Ag. Secretary/CEO (2016 -2018).
Justice Gakeri is a holder of a Doctorate of Philosophy degree in Juridical Science from Indiana University (2011) and two Masters of Laws degrees from the University of Houston (2009) and University of Nairobi (1993).
He attained his Bachelor of Laws degree from University of Nairobi (1988). He obtained his Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law (KSL) in 1989 and he admitted to the Roll of Advocates the same year.
Lady Justice Jemima Keli was appointed Judge of the Employment and Labour Relations Court in 2021. Before her appointment as Judge, she was Sole Proprietor at Keli & Associates since 2016.
Justice Keli served as a Legal Assistant at Anthony Mulekyo & Company Advocates from 2002 to 2003. She worked at the Electoral Commission of Kenya (Defunct) as Senior Legal Officer from 2003 to 2009 and as a Senior State Counsel at the State Law Office.
At the State Law Office, she served on the taskforce for the establishment of Interim Electoral and Boundaries Commission Secretariat between 2009 and 2010. Justice Keli was a Program Officer (Compliance & Ethics) at the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) in 2011 and an Assisting Counsel at Judges and Magistrates Vetting Board (JMVB), between 2011 and 2016.
Judge Keli holds a Masters and Bachelor of Laws degrees from the University of Nairobi, in 2012 and 2000, respectively. She holds a Diploma in Law from Kenya School of Law (2001) and was admitted to the Roll of Advocates in 2002.
She holds a certificate in International Commercial Mediation and Advanced Certificate in Domestic Arbitration, by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, London.
She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, London, FIDA KENYA, and International Commission of Jurists-Kenya.
Justice Ann Mwaure Ngibuini was appointed Judge of the Employment and Labour Relations Court in 2021. Previously, she served as Managing Partner with Mwaure & Mwaure Company Advocates, since 2005.
Judge Ngibuini worked in Judiciary as a Resident Magistrate between 1983 and 1987 before moving on to private legal practice at Mwaure & Mwaure Company Advocates, serving from 1987 to 2003.
She was employed by World Vision of Kenya as General Counsel/Ag. HR Director between 2003 and 2005. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Communication from Daystar University (2005) and Bachelor of Laws Degree from University of Nairobi (1981).
Justice Ngibuini holds a Diploma in Law from Kenya School of Law (1982) and was admitted to the Roll of Advocates in 1983.
Justice Bernard Matanga Odongo Manani was appointed Judge of the Employment and Labour Relations Court in 2021.
Prior to his appointment, he served as an Assistant Lecturer at Kabarak University since 2016 and at the same time as Proprietor at Manani, Lilian, Mwetich & Company Advocates having joined the firm in 2002. His legal practice started in 1996 as an Associate at Nyairo & Company Advocates where he worked until 2002.
He holds a Masters and Bachelor of Laws degrees from the University of Nairobi in 2015 and 1994, respectively. He holds a Diploma in Law from Kenya School Law (1995) and was admitted to the Roll of Advocates in 1996.
Lady Justice Rutto Chemtai was appointed Judge of the Employment and Labour Relations Court in 2021. Prior to her appointment, she was serving at the Teacher Service Commission (TSC) as Principal Legal Officer, since 2013.
Previously, Justice Chemtai served as a Legal Assistant with Simba & Simba Advocates from 2005 to 2006, lectured at the Kenya Polytechnic University of Kenya from 2007 to 2008 and worked as Chief Legal Officer at the TSC from 2008 to 2012. In 2012 and 2013, Chemtai worked as a Legal Researcher in the Judiciary.
She is a holder of Masters and Bachelor of Laws degrees from the University of Nairobi, in 2008 and 2005, respectively. She was admitted to Roll of Advocates in 2007 having attended the Kenya School of Law for her Diploma in Law in 2006.
Justice Kebira Ocharo was appointed Judge of the Employment and Labour Relations Court in 2021. Prior to his appointment, Ocharo was Managing Partner at Ocharo Kebira & Company Advocates since 1997.
Previously, he served as a Legal Assistant/ Pupil at Omagwa Angima & Company Advocates between 1993 and 1996, and as an Associate Advocate at Omagwa Angima & Company
Advocates from 1996 to 1997. Justice Ocharo holds Masters of Science degree in Human Resource Management from Masinde Muliro University (2016), Bachelor of Laws from the University of Nairobi (1994) and Diploma in Law from Kenya School of Law (1995). He was admitted to the Roll of Advocates in 1996.
Lady Justice Kitiku Agnes Mueni-Nzei was appointed Judge of the Employment and Labour Relations Court in 2021.
Before her appointment, she served as Proprietor Nzei & Company Advocates since 1995.
Previously, she worked as a Legal Assistant/ Associate at Waki & Company Advocates from 1991 to 1995.
Justice Kitiku holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Nairobi (1990) and Diploma in Law from Kenya School of Law (1991). She was admitted to the Roll of Advocates in 1991.
She is currently pursuing master of laws degree in University of Nairobi.
Hon Justice David Njagi Nderitu was appointed Judge of the Employment and Labour Relations Court in 2021.
Prior to his appointment, Judge Nderitu was serving as Director, Complaints Management and Legal Services at Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) since 2017.
Justice Nderitu served as an advocate at Njagi Nderitu & Company Advocates between 1995 and 2015 and as Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions at Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) from 2014 to 2017.
He holds a Masters degree in Public Administration from Eastern Washington University, USA (2011), Bachelor of Laws from the University of Nairobi (1993) and a Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law (1994). He was admitted to the Roll of Advocates in 1995.
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