Honourable (Rtd.) Justice (Dr.) Willy Mutunga – Chief Justice (2011-2016)
The Hon. (Rtd.) Justice (Dr.) Willy Mutunga was Kenya’s Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court from 2011 to 2016.
Before his appointment as Chief Justice, he led the Ford Foundation’s East Africa office. He taught at the University of Nairobi, Faculty of Law, from 1974 to 1982. He was the Vice-Chairman of the Law Society of Kenya from 1991 to 1993 and the Chairman from 1993 to 1995. He also chaired the Kenya Human Rights Commission and later became its Executive Director. He spent 16 months in detention (1982-1983) for his democratic activism.
He holds a Bachelor of Laws and Master of Laws degrees, from the University of Dar-es-Salaam and Doctorate degree in Jurisprudence from Osgoode Hall Law School, York University.
Dr. Mutunga is renowed for his reformist approach. He played a pivotal role in transforming Kenya’s judiciary, championing transparency, accountability, and judicial independence. With a rich background in activism and legal scholarship, he was instrumental in advocating for social justice, human rights, and the rule of law.
His tenure is remembered for significant judicial reforms, including the vetting of judges and the establishment of the Supreme Court of Kenya, which has strengthened the country’s democratic framework. Dr. Mutunga’s legacy is deeply rooted in his commitment to justice and his efforts to make the judiciary more accessible to all Kenyans.
Honourable (Rtd.) Justice David K. Maraga – Chief Justice (2016-2021)
The Hon. (Rtd.) Justice David Maraga was Kenya’s Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court from 2016 to 2021.
Before his appointment as the Chief Justice, he served as a Judge of the Court of Appeal from 2012 to 2016, and Judge of the High Court from 2003 to 2012. He served in various capacities in the Judiciary, including as the Chair of the Judiciary Committee on Elections from 2015 to 2016 and Vice Chairperson of the Judiciary Working Committee on Election Preparedness from 2012 to 2015. Prior to joining the bench, he ran a private law practice for over 25 years.
He holds a Master of Laws and Bachelor of Laws degrees from the University of Nairobi. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, FCIArb.
His tenure was marked by his unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law and his advocacy for judicial independence. He also worked to reform the judiciary, aiming to enhance its efficiency and public trust.
Honourable (Rtd.) Lady Justice (Dr.) Nancy Makokha Baraza
Hon. (Rtd.) Lady Justice (Dr.) Nancy Makokha Baraza was the Deputy Chief Justice and Vice President of the Supreme Court from 2011 to 2012.
Prior to joining the Judiciary, Lady Justice Nancy Baraza served as the Vice Chairperson of the Kenya Law Reform Commission from 2008 to 2011. Before that, she was the Chairperson of the Media Council of Kenya’s Ethics and Complaints Commission, and the Kenyan Chapter of the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA). She also served as a Commissioner in the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission (CKRC).
While serving as the vice chairperson of the Kenya Law Reform Commission (KLRC), Dr. Baraza successfully undertook major reforms in family law which had historically remained elusive. The reforms resulted in the drafting of the current Marriage Act, 2014 and the Matrimonial Property Act 2013. She also led the KLRC to undertake studies into the Law of Succession Act, Cap 160 of the Laws of Kenya with a view to finding loopholes the law that led to discrimination against women, and this led to some of the most recent reforms in the Act.
Since 2013, Dr. Baraza has served as a senior lecturer in the faculty of Law, university of Nairobi where she has mentored and nurtured thousands of law students. She has served as the chairperson of the Department of Public Law at the Faculty.
She holds Bachelor of Laws, Masters in Law and Doctorate in Law degrees, all from the University of Nairobi.
Honourable (Rtd.) Lady Justice Kalpana Rawal (2013-2016)
Hon. (Rtd.) Lady Justice Kalpana Rawal served as the Deputy Chief Justice and Vice President of the Supreme Court from 2013 to 2016.
She previously served as Judge of the Court of Appeal between 2012-2013, Judge of the High Court from 2000 to 2012 and Commissioner of Assize. She also served as a liaison Judge for the International Criminal Court.
She was admitted to the Bar in India in 1968. She subsequently relocated to Kenya and was admitted to the Roll of Advocates in the year 1975, and set up K.H. Rawal Advocates. Lady Justice (Rtd.) Kalpana Rawal was the first sole female lawyer to set up a private practice in Kenya and first woman of Asian descent to be appointed as a Judge.
As a Liaison Judge of the International Hague Network of Judges she assisted with expediting the promulgation of the Rules of Procedure set out in the International Crimes Act. She was also appointed to assist the International Criminal Court (ICC) in taking the evidence of security officers in respect of the 2007/2008 Post-Election Violence.
During her tenure as a Court of Appeal Judge, she chaired the Commission of Inquiry into the June 2012 Kenya Police helicopter craft that left 6 people dead including, the late Minister George Saitoti and Assistant Minister, Orwa Ojode.
Honourable (Rtd.) Justice (Prof.) J. B. Ojwang’– Supreme Court Judge (2011-2020)
Hon. (Rtd.) Justice (Prof.) J. B. Ojwang’ served as a Judge on the inaugural bench of the Supreme Court from 2011 to 2020.
He served as a Judge of the High Court in the period between 2003 to 2011. Prior to joining the bench, he taught at the University of Nairobi, including serving as Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Law.
He has a Bachelor of Laws and Masters in Law degree from the University of Nairobi, as well as a PhD in Comparative Constitutional Law from Downing College, Cambridge. He also obtained a Doctor of Laws degree (LLD) from the University of Nairobi.
He is an accomplished scholar, a Fellow of the Kenya National Academy of Sciences and has lectured at reputable universities around the world including the University of Nairobi where he served for 27 years.
He has conducted research published in several books and monographs, and in international peer-reviewed law journals. He has also participated in many international fora of scholarly, policy and law-making deliberations, and made contributions to specialized tasks of the United Nations, the African Union, and leading foreign Universities.
Honourable (Rtd.) Justice (Dr.) Phillip Kiptoo Tunoi (2011- 2016)
Hon. (Rtd.) Justice (Dr.) Phillip Kiptoo Tunoi served at the inaugural bench of the Supreme Court from 2011-2016.
Prior to his appointment at the Supreme Court he served as a Judge of the Court of Appeal between 1993 and 2011, and a Judge of the High Court from 1987 to 1993. He also served as a Judge and Vice- President of the East Africa Court of Justice from 2011 to 2016.
Before joining the Judiciary, Justice Tunoi served as a Provincial State Counsel from 1970 to 1973. He then ventured into private practice for close to 14 years.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Dar es Salaam, a Masters degree in Philosophy and a PhD in the Philosophy of Law, both from the University of Nairobi.