CJ David Maraga mourns judge Joseph Onguto

Chief Justice David Maraga has mourned Justice Joseph Louis Omondi Onguto terming him as ‘humble and brilliant legal mind’ who served Kenyans with distinction and commitment

CJ Maraga said Justice Onguto’s sudden death was a great loss to the Judiciary and the entire country.

Justice Onguto was serving as a Judge of the High Court in the Commercial Division at the time of his death. He collapsed after a gym session at Parklands Sports Club and was pronounced dead at MP Shah Hospital.

JUDICIAL DUTIES

“He served with humility and was courteous to all who appeared before him. In addition to his judicial duties, he was a leader among his peers as he founded and led the Judges Welfare Committee,” said CJ Maraga.

“He was pleasant and well-liked by Judges, Magistrates and all staff,” he added.

Justice Onguto was appointed a High Court Judge on July 1, 2014. He served in the Environment and Land Court Division until 2015 when he was transferred to the Constitutional and Human Rights Division.

In January 2017, he was moved to the Commercial Division of the High Court where he served until his untimely death on March 1, 2018. He also served as a visiting Judge at Machakos High Court.

“Justice Onguto had a brilliant legal mind which he used to serve the people of Kenya with distinction and commitment. He brought into the Judiciary extensive experience as a legal practitioner and lecturer at the Kenya School of Law,” said CJ Maraga.

“On behalf of the Judicial Service Commission, the entire Judiciary and on my own behalf, I send our deepest condolences to his wife Consolata, his children, the Judiciary family, and the Kenyan people who he served with dedication,” said CJ Maraga in a statement.

 Lawyers mourned the judge, remembering him as one who stood up for justice in cases he handled.

“We have lost one of our finest young judges,” former Law Society of Kenya president Isaac Okero tweeted.