The Judiciary of Kenya is in mourning following the passing of Hon. Justice Fredrick Ochieng Andago, Judge of the Court of Appeal.
His death was announced on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, by Chief Justice Martha Koome, who conveyed condolences on behalf of the Judiciary and the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
In a statement, CJ Koome described Justice Ochieng as a towering legal mind who made an indelible mark on Kenya’s jurisprudence.
“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,” CJ Koome stated.
Justice Ochieng’s Judicial Career
Justice Ochieng joined the Judiciary in 2003 as a Judge of the High Court, where he served with distinction in several stations, including the Civil Division, Kitale, Kakamega, the Criminal Division, the Commercial and Admiralty Division, and Kisumu.
In 2022, he was elevated to the Court of Appeal, where he continued to shape the country’s legal landscape. He was widely respected for his contributions to the development of commercial law jurisprudence and his strong advocacy for alternative dispute resolution (ADR).
At the time of his passing, he was serving as the Chairperson of the Court Annexed Mediation Taskforce, spearheading the nationwide roll-out of Court-Annexed Mediation, a flagship programme aimed at reducing case backlogs and improving access to justice.
“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, he was elevated to the Court of Appeal,” CJ Koome’s statement read.
“He will be fondly remembered as a towering figure in the development of Kenya’s commercial law jurisprudence and as a strong advocate for the promotion of alternative dispute resolution. At the time of his passing, he was serving as the Chairperson of the Court Annexed Mediation Taskforce, which is spearheading the national roll-out of Court-Annexed Mediation.”
“Prior to joining the Judiciary, he had a distinguished career as an Advocate of the High Court in the firm of Kaplan & Stratton Advocates for almost two decades,” she added.
CJ Koome further called on Kenyans to uphold sensitivity and compassion during this period of mourning.
“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,” she stated.
