Kenya loses second High Court judge in less than a week

Judiciary in Kenya is mourning the death of Siaya High Court Presiding judge , David Ogembo who was found dead in his house on Wednesday.

On behalf of Kenya’s Judiciary, Chief Justice Martha Koome has announced the death of Mr. Ogembo.

“On behalf of the Judiciary and the Judicial Service Commission, it is with profound sadness that I announce the sudden passing of Hon. Justice Daniel Ogembo Ogola, Judge of the High Court of Kenya.” Reads part of the announcement

She has pointed out that justice Ogembo joined the Judiciary as a Magistrate in 2004 and was subsequently appointed Judge of the High Court in 2016. At the time of his passing, he was the Presiding Judge at the Siaya Law Courts.

“We received the news as we were paying our final respects to Hon. Justice Majanja at the Friends International Centre, Ngong Road. The untimely passing of Hon. Justice Ogembo comes at a trying time for the Judiciary, Judicial Service Commission and the Nation at large.”

“This is a deep blow to the Judiciary family, the legal fraternity and our country. We are all devastated.”

The Chief Justice has extended heartfelt condolences go out to Judge Ogembo’s family, friends, colleagues, and the entire Judiciary fraternity.

News from Kisumu indicate that Police has kicked off with investigations in this matter where the judge’s body was found in his residential house after the driver failed to trace him.

Siaya County Police Commander Cleti Kimaiyo confirmed the incident noting that investigation is on to establish the death, which will include conducting postmortem examinations.

Last week, High Court judge David Majanja passed away on 10th July 2024 at a hospital in Nairobi.