Court of Appeal Judge Hannah Okwengu retires after 42-year stint in Judiciary
She joined the Judiciary in 1983 rising through the ranks from Resident Magistrate to Chief Magistrate, before being appointed a Judge of the High Court in 2003
Court of Appeal Judge Hannah M. Okwengu has retired after serving in the Judiciary for 42 years.
Announcing her retirement, Chief Justice Martha Koome said Lady Justice Okwengu served in the corridors of justice with unwavering dedication, wisdom, and integrity.
“A remarkable journey comes to a close as Justice Okwengu retires after years of exceptional service to the judiciary and our country. I celebrate her unwavering dedication, wisdom, and integrity. Having walked this path alongside her—from our appointment to the High Court to our promotion to the Court of Appeal—I have witnessed firsthand her brilliance and commitment to justice. As she steps into retirement, I wish her endless joy and fulfilment. Her counsel, especially in the area of mentorship, will always be cherished. May God bless her and her family abundantly,” she posted on X.
She joined the Judiciary in 1983 rising through the ranks from Resident Magistrate to Chief Magistrate, before being appointed a Judge of the High Court in 2003.
Prior to her appointment as a Judge of the High Court, Lady Justice Okwengu worked for two years as an Assistant Director in charge of Prosecutions in the former Kenya Anti-Corruption Authority, now Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.
She was appointed Court of Appeal Judge in 2011.
“She has headed court stations at various levels and distinguished herself as a dedicated and accomplished judicial officer. She was the recipient of the Law Society Award for distinguished service in the Administration of Justice for the year 1998,” he profile on Judiciary website reads in part.
In addition to her judicial duties, Lady Justice Okwengu was the Executive Secretary of the Auctioneers Licensing Board, Vice Chair and Treasurer of Sheria Savings and Credit Society Limited, and Chair of the Judiciary Technical Committee that developed the Judiciary Criminal Procedure Bench Book.
She also served as the Chair of Kenya Women Judges Association and as President of the International Association of Women Judges Africa Region.
Lady Justice Okwengu holds Master of Laws degree in Public International Law from Queen Mary University of London (2012), Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Nairobi (1978), a Diploma from the Kenya School of Law (1979), and a Certificate in Management from the University of Bradford (1994).
