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The Office of the Principal Judge is established under Article 165(2) of the Constitution.
The Principal Judge is responsible to the Chief Justice for;
a) The overall administration and management of the High Court.
b) Ensuring the orderly and prompt conduct of the business of the Court.
c) The constitution of benches of two or more judges in consultation with the Chief Justice.
d) Undertaking of such other duties as may be assigned by the Chief Justice.
In the absence of the Principal Judge or in the event of a vacancy in the Office of the Principal Judge, the Chief Justice shall appoint an acting Principal Judge, from amongst the Presiding Judges in Nairobi, to act as the Principal Judge for a period not exceeding 60 days, with effect from the date of appointment.
Justice Eric Kennedy Okumu Ogola is the Principal Judge of the High Court having been elected in 15th September 2022.
Justice Ogola joined the Judiciary as a Judge of the High Court of Kenya in 2011. Prior to his appointment as the Principal Judge, he served as a Judge in Milimani Commercial Division between 2011 and 2016. Further, Justice Ogola served as a Presiding Judge in Mombasa High Court from 2016 to 2021 and at Eldoret High Court between 2021 and 2022.
The Principal Judge is an alumnus of University of Nairobi; and holds a Master of Laws (LLM) degree in Maritime Law from the University of Cape Town.
Upon his admission to the Roll of Advocates in 1992, he practiced law for 20 years specializing in Admiralty and Maritime Law, Commercial Law, and Labour Law.
One of the few Maritime Law experts, Justice Ogola was a member of the Taskforce on the Review of Maritime Laws of Kenya. The taskforce sought to harmonize the laws with the International Conventions and recommendations of the International Maritime Organization. This led to the promulgation of several Maritime Legislations including the establishment of the Kenya Maritime Authority and the revision of the Merchant Shipping Act, No. 9 of 2004.
Justice Ogola consulted for the World Bank and the Ministry of Transport and promulgated Rules and Regulations on Maritime Legislations.
At the time of joining the Judiciary in 2011, Justice Ogola was a law Lecturer at the University of Nairobi. He was the founder Lecturer of the Nairobi University Mombasa Law Campus in 2008.
Justice Ogola had a fulfilled law practice in areas of Banking, Mergers and acquisitions, and Maritime and Mining. He was the lead advocate in the acquisition of surface rights for titanium mining in Kwale County.
He is a certified Mediator and a Trainer of Trainees in the Recovery of Stolen Assets (STAR).
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