Lady Justice Lydia Achode is the new Principal Judge of the High Court of Kenya.
Judge Achode was elected by other judges in an election exercise conducted by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), in Mombasa.
The election of the Principal Judge of the High Court is in accordance with Article 165(2) of the Constitution.
A communication from the Judiciary said Justice Achode is the second Principal Judge elected under the Constitution of Kenya, 2010.
Achode takes over from Justice Richard Mwongo whose term came to an end after serving as Principal Judge for five years.
She garnered 43 votes out 80, cast by the judges who were present, beating her contestants, Justices Mary Kasongo and Asenath Ongeri.
Her career began as a District Magistrate at the Kericho Law Courts in 1986. She rose through the ranks to become Judge of the High Court in 2011. Prior to her appointment as judge, she served as the Registrar of the High Court and the Accounting Officer for the Judiciary.
In 2016, Justice Achode was appointed by the CJ to serve as the deputy judge of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Division of the High Court, established in 2015.She has experience in Civil and Criminal Law and Procedure, Commercial Litigation, Taxation Law, as well as Gender and Family Law having routinely adjudicated on these areas of law for a period spanning over twenty years.
Justice Achode is also the Treasurer of the Kenya Women Judges Association.The High Court Principal Judge is responsible to the Chief Justice.
The duties of the Principal Judge as stipulated under the High Court Organization and Administration Act include:
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.