Chief Justice Martha Koome has announced the passing away of Court of Appeal Judge, Justice Fredrick Ochieng Andago.

In a statement on Wednesday, September 17, CJ Koome extended his condolences to Ochieng’s family, colleagues, and the entire legal community. 

“On behalf of the Judiciary and the Judicial Service Commission, I convey with profound sadness the news of the passing of Hon. Justice Fredrick Ochieng Andago, Judge of the Court of Appeal of Kenya.

“We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and the entire Judiciary during this time of great sorrow,” Koome stated.

The Chief Justice eulogized Ochieng as a towering figure in Kenya’s commercial law jurisprudence and a strong advocate of alternative dispute resolution.

 Justice Ochieng joined the Judiciary in 2003 as a Judge of the High Court, where he served with distinction in various stations, including the Civil Division, Kitale, Kakamega, the Criminal Division, the Commercial and Admiralty Division, and Kisumu.

In 2022, Justice Ochieng was elevated to become a judge of the Court of Appeal.

At the time of his passing, Justice Ochieng was the Chairperson of the Court Annexed Mediation Taskforce, which is spearheading the national roll-out of court-annexed mediation.

Before joining the judiciary, Justice Ochieng had a distinguished career spanning nearly two decades as an advocate of the High Court with Kaplan and Stratton Advocates.

“We stand in solidarity with his family, friends, and the entire Judiciary community during this difficult period of mourning. We call for sensitivity and compassion as we share in this collective grief. May Hon. Justice Fred Ochieng’s soul rest in eternal peace,” Justice Koome added.

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This comes just a year after the passing of Siaya High Court Presiding Judge, Justice Daniel Ogembo.

Justice Ogembo was found dead on the morning of July 17, 2024, at his home in Siaya town.

The late high court judge’s driver, who had arrived to pick him up as usual, was unable to reach him by phone or text.

Concerned, he sought assistance to access the judge’s residence, where Ogembo’s body was discovered.

In July 2024, Justice David Majanja also died after undergoing surgery at a hospital in Nairobi.

The surgery is said to have been successful, but things turned worse later, resulting in his death.

Majanja, who was appointed High Court Judge in 2011, served at Homa Bay, Migori, Kisumu, and Kisii High Courts.