High Court (Kenya)-The Daily Ledger

The High Court of Kenya is a court of unlimited original jurisdiction in criminal and civil matters established under article 165 of the constitution of Kenya as part of the Kenya Judiciary. It also has supervisory jurisdiction over all other subordinate courts and any other persons, body or authority exercising a judicial or quasi-judicial function. It was known as the Supreme Court of Kenya until 1964 and its name has remain unchanged since then.

Jurisdiction

The High Court has the following jurisdiction:

High Court (Kenya)

unlimited original jurisdiction in criminal and civil matters; jurisdiction to determine the question whether a right or fundamental freedom in the Bill of Rights has been denied, violated, infringed or threatened; jurisdiction to hear an appeal from a decision of a tribunal appointed to consider the removal of a person from office, other than a tribunal appointed to consider the removal of Judges from office; jurisdiction to hear any question respecting the interpretation of the Constitution including the determination of the question whether any law is inconsistent with or in contravention of the Constitution, the question whether anything said to be done under the authority of the Constitution or of any law is inconsistent with, or in contravention of, the Constitution, any matter relating to constitutional powers of State organs in respect of county governments and any matter relating to the constitutional relationship between the levels of government, and a question relating to conflict of laws.

High Court (Kenya)

The High Court is also a court of admiralty, and exercises admiralty jurisdiction in all matters arising on the high seas, or in territorial waters, or upon any lake or other navigable inland waters in Kenya.

High Court (Kenya)

Organization & Administration

Stations & Divisions

There are forty one High Court stations spread throughout 39 Counties in Kenya, with ongoing work to ensure that each of the 47 Counties has at least one High Court station.

In stations like Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu where the High Court has a heavy caseload and multiple Judges, the Court is divided into Divisions. Each station or division is headed by a Presiding Judge. The Divisions are: Family & Children Division Commercial Division Admiralty Division Constitutional and Human Rights Division Judicial Review Division Criminal Division Civil Division Anti-Corruption & Economic Crimes Division

Principal Judge

Under the Constitution of Kenya 2010, the court is headed by a Principal Judge who is elected by the Judges of the Court from among themselves. The Principal Judge is responsible to the Chief Justice for the overall administration and management of the Court; ensuring the orderly and prompt conduct of the business of the Court; the constitution of benches of two or more judges in consultation with the Chief Justice; and undertaking of such other duties as may be assigned by the Chief Justice.

The current Principal Judge of the Court is Erick Kennedy Ogola who was elected on September 15, 2022, for a non-renewable five-year term.

List of Principal Judges

Hon Justice Richard Mwongo (2013 - 2018) Hon Lady Justice Lydia Achode (2018 - 2022) Hon Justice Erick Kennedy Ogola (2022 - present)

Registrar of the High Court

There is a Registrar of the Court who is responsible for the setting up of the registry and maintenance of the registers of the Court as required under the law; the day to day administration and management of the Court; and overseeing of support services in the Court including the planning, development and the organization of staff of the court as provided for under High Court (Organization and Administration) Act .

Under the repealed Constitution of Kenya, the Registrar of the High Court was the overall chief administrator of the Judiciary. The overall administrator under the 2010 Constitution is the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary.