The Office of the Registrar of the Supreme Court is established by Section 10 (2) of Judicial Service Act and Section 9 of the Supreme Court Act. The Registrar acts in accordance with the direction of the Chief Justice, the Court and the rules of the Court.
The functions of the Registrar are outlined in Section 10(1) of the Supreme Court Act. In particular, the Registrar is in charge of record keeping and the day-to-day administration of the Court. The Registrar is responsible for—
- The establishment and maintenance of the Registry;
- The acceptance, transmission, service and custody of documents in accordance with the rules;
- Taxing costs of any proceedings before the Court as between the parties;
- Certifying that any order, direction or decision is an order, direction or decision of the Court, or of the Chief Justice or other judge, as the case may be;
- Causing to be kept records of the proceedings and the minutes of the meetings of the Court and such other records as the Court may direct;
- The management and supervision of the staff of the Court;
- The day-to-day administration of the Court;
- the management of the library of the Court;
- ensuring the publication of the judgements of the Court; and
- undertaking any duties assigned by the Court.
Hon. Letizia M. Wachira, FCIArb, OGW, MBS
Registrar, Supreme Court of Kenya
Hon. Letizia Wachira was appointed as the Registrar of the Supreme Court on 13th January, 2022. She is charged with amongst other responsibilities, the day-to-day management of the Court; supervision of the Court staff; acceptance, transmission, service and custody of documents of the Court; and other duties as assigned/directed by the Chief Justice and the Justices of the Court.
She joined the Judiciary in the year 2004 as a District Magistrate II (Prof), and rose through the ranks to a Chief Magistrate, and then her current position.
She is a member of Kenya Magistrates and Judges Association wherein she has served as the Vice President (2014-2016), and the Regional Secretary, Nairobi region (2009-2014). She has served as a member of the many Committees in the Judiciary including the BBI JSC Subcommittee, the JSC Committee on the Recruitment of Civilian Drivers and the Chairperson of Evaluation of the Judiciary Strategic Plan (2019-2023). She is a member of the Administration of Justice and Performance Management Committee (AJPMC).
Hon. Letizia Wachira holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB) and Master of Laws Degree (LLM) from the University of Nairobi, and a Post-Graduate Diploma from the Kenya School of Law. She is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitration.
Hon. Esther Nyaiyaki Onchana
Registrar, Office of The Chief Registrar of The Judiciary
Hon. Ms. Esther Nyaiyaki Onchana is a holder of a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Nairobi, a Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law, and a Master of Arts in International Conflict Management, Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies from the University of Nairobi. She is a Certified Public Secretary and has completed advanced leadership and management courses, including training on Management Training for Executives offered by the Crown Agents in London and the Senior Leadership Development Training by the Kenya School of Government.
Before assuming her current position, Hon. Nyaiyaki was the first substantive Registrar of the Supreme Court of Kenya from 2013 to 2021. During this time, she had the privilege of working under the guidance of former Chief Justices Willy Mutunga and David Maraga, as well as Chief Justice Martha Koome. She also has the honour of serving under the administrative leadership of former Chief Registrars Hon. Anne Amadi and Hon. Frida Mokaya.
During her time at the Supreme Court, she played a key role in overseeing the administrative preparations for the first presidential petition filed and decided by the Supreme Court in 2013, as well as two presidential petitions in 2017. She was also responsible for establishing and maintaining the Supreme Court Registry, which led to the Office of the Registrar being recognized as the top-performing office for the FY 2016/2017 and 2017/2028. Moreover, she was tasked with developing the Supreme
Court Strategic Plan for 2013-2017 and 2020-2024, publishing the Supreme Court Case Digests, Supreme Court Registry Manual, and various IEC Materials. She also took the lead in revising the Supreme Court Act, Rules, and Practice Directions.
Before joining the Judiciary, Hon. Nyaiyaki served as the Deputy CEO at the National Council for Law Reporting (NCLR). In this role, she provided leadership in the development, execution, and achievement of NCLR’s strategic goals and objectives.
During her tenure, she was recognized for fostering public-private partnerships leading to the online publication of both the Kenya Gazette and Hansard, establishing policies aimed at publishing legal information in a universally accessible format suitable for persons with disabilities, and initiating the first performance appraisal system for NCLR, along with an Employee Recognition Award Scheme.
She is actively involved as a mentor with the Global Give Back Circle, an organization that integrates mentorship, private sector investment, and local community support to empower disadvantaged girls to complete their educational journey, gain employable skills, and become agents of change.
Hon. Nyaiyaki is also a member of the Associate Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), and the Law Society of Kenya.
Hon. Bernard Kasavuli, OGW
Deputy Registrar, Supreme Court of Kenya
Hon. Bernard Kasavuli is a Senior Principal Magistrate and Deputy Registrar at the Supreme Court of Kenya. He is an advocate of the High Court of Kenya with 17 years of professional experience in legal practice. He holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB) from Moi University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Studies (Dip. Law) – Kenya School of Law. He is a postgraduate alumnus of University of Nairobi and holds a Master of Laws in Law, Governance and Democracy obtained in 2021.
After his admission to the Roll of Advocates on 2nd October, 2008 he practised Law at Kitiwa & Co. Advocates dealing majorly in civil litigation and conveyancing for two years before joining the Judiciary in October 2010 as a District Magistrate II(Prof).
Hon. Kasavuli served at Lamu Law Courts as his first station in the Judiciary for two years before being transferred to Eldoret Law Courts, Winam Law Courts as a head of station, Ngong Law Courts as a head of station, Mavoko Law Courts and later as a Deputy Registrar, serving the Supreme Court of Kenya.
In 2024, Hon. Kasavuli was awarded presidential state commendation namely Order of the Golden Warrior (OGW) for outstanding achievements in public service.
Hon. Kasavuli in his leadership roles in the judiciary has managed to contribute to good governance, case management and timely resolution of disputes. He is time conscious, result oriented and a good team player.
HON. ALICE MUKENGA
Deputy Registrar, Supreme Court of Kenya
Currently serving as a Deputy Registrar, Supreme Court of Kenya. She holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB) from the University of Nairobi (2006) and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law (2008). She joined the Judiciary in 2013 as a Resident Magistrate, and has risen through the ranks to her current position of Principal Magistrate. Prior to her deployment to the Supreme Court, she had served in various stations being Nyahururu Law Court, Molo Law Court and Milimani Commercial Court (Environment and Land Division). She has also undergone various trainings including; Judicial Dialogue on Wildlife and Environment Enforcement and Conservation, Dialogue on HIV, Human Rights and the Law, Land and Environmental Law Adjudication, Administration of Gender Justice. She prides herself as a diligent and industrious person, who is committed to the rule of law and justice for all.