Chief Justice Martha Koome led the judiciary, legal fraternity and leaders from all arms of government on Thursday in “closing of file proceedings” rites in honour of the late Court of Appeal Judge Frederick Ochieng.

Justice Ochieng was remembered as a distinguished jurist, champion of mediation and defender of the rule of law.

The proceedings, held at the Supreme Court Building in Nairobi, brought together judges, advocates, judicial officers and senior government officials, who paid glowing tributes to Justice Ochieng’s contribution to Kenya’s jurisprudence and administration of justice following his death in September 2025.

Justice Koome presided over a bench comprising Court of Appeal President Justice Daniel Musinga, Court of Appeal Judge and Judicial Service Commission Commissioner Fatuma Sichale, Employment and Labour Relations Court Principal Judge Monica Mbaru and Environment and Lands Court Principal Judge Oscar Angote.

The CJ described the fallen judge as a jurist of rare distinction who served the judiciary with integrity, fairness and unwavering commitment to constitutionalism.

“Justice Ochieng served with fidelity, upheld the constitution with courage, dispensed justice with fairness and treated all who came before him with dignity,” Koome said.

She recalled that Justice Ochieng joined the judiciary in 2003 as a High Court judge after nearly two decades in private legal practice at Kaplan and Stratton Advocates, where he built a strong reputation in commercial and civil litigation.

According to the chief justice, the experience he acquired in legal practice enriched his judicial work and enabled him to “handle complex matters with exceptional understanding and professionalism throughout his career.”

Justice Koome said the late judge served with distinction in several stations and divisions of the High Court, including the civil division, Kitale, Kakamega, criminal division, commercial and admiralty division in Nairobi before later becoming presiding judge in Kisumu.

“In every station, he left an indelible mark not only through the judgments he delivered but also through the manner in which he conducted proceedings with fairness, intellectual rigor, humility and sensitivity to the human dimensions of legal conflict,” she said.

The chief justice further described Justice Ochieng as one of the country’s leading contributors to the development of commercial law jurisprudence, noting that his influence extended beyond the courtroom through his advocacy for alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. She said one of his most enduring legacies was his role in advancing court-annexed mediation as an efficient and people-centred approach to resolving disputes.

“At the time of his passing, he was serving as chair of Court-Annexed Mediation Taskforce, where he was leading the nationwide implementation of one of the judiciary’s most transformative access-to-justice initiatives,” Koome said.

She added that through his efforts, Justice Ochieng helped expand peaceful and party-driven dispute resolution processes while promoting a justice system that was more humane, accessible and responsive to the needs of ordinary Kenyans.

Justice Koome also paid tribute to the late judge’s personal qualities, describing him as warm, approachable and deeply respectful to litigants and colleagues alike.

“Indeed, Justice Ochieng was known for his warmth and down to earth style, yet he never allowed that jovial spirit to diminish his legal acuity. He was courteous to litigants, attentive to detail, and unwaveringly fair,” she said.

The chief justice urged members of the legal fraternity to uphold the values exemplified by the late judge, including fairness, compassion, fidelity to the rule of law and innovation in justice delivery.

“As we conclude this ceremony, let us recommit ourselves to the values he exemplified: justice delivered with fairness and compassion; unwavering fidelity to the rule of law; and innovative approaches to serving the people, especially through mediation and other people-centred pathways to justice,” she said.

Other speakers at the proceedings described Justice Ochieng as an accomplished advocate, practitioner and judge who used the law as an instrument for social transformation.

They praised his well-researched judgments and rulings, noting that he often blended legal precision with humour and humanity in his courtroom interactions.

The speakers further described him as a gallant jurist with clarity of mind who faithfully served the rule of law while championing mediation and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms within the Judiciary.

They said his service at the High Court strengthened certainty in legal processes and enhanced public confidence in the administration of justice. The speakers also hailed his humility, integrity and dedication to mentorship, saying he nurtured many young lawyers and judicial officers during his career.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula who attended the proceedings, remembered Justice Ochieng as a devoted family man and brilliant legal mind who discharged his duties with honesty, fairness and diligence.

He described the late judge as industrious, hardworking and committed to justice throughout his career.

The proceedings ended with calls for members of the Bench and bar to emulate Justice Ochieng’s dedication to service, integrity and people-centred justice as the country continues strengthening access to justice and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Nicholas Ochieng and Pascal Osonga