Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu has paid tribute to the late Court of Appeal Judge Fredrick Ochieng’, describing him as a strong advocate for alternative dispute resolution in Kenya.
Speaking during his burial at Menara Grounds in Muhoroni Sub-County, Kisumu County, on Friday, Mwilu praised Justice Ochieng’s leadership as Chairperson of the Court Annexed Mediation Taskforce, which has spearheaded the nationwide roll-out of court-annexed mediation.
“Justice Ochieng’ showed us that mediation is not only a tool for resolving disputes but also a pathway to peace for countless families,” Mwilu said.
She credited him with pioneering reforms that eased case backlogs in courts and provided faster, fairer dispute resolution.
“He infused mediation into Kenya’s justice system, giving litigants a chance to resolve disputes without unnecessary delay or expense,” she noted.
Mwilu further remembered him as a towering figure in Kenya’s Commercial Law jurisprudence, having presided over some of the most complex disputes in the field.
“His judicial lens simplified intricate legal issues for scholars and students alike. His legacy will last for generations,” she added.
Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o described the late judge as “the father of alternative dispute resolution,” lauding his contributions to justice, dignity, and the rule of law.
“He was a mentor and an inspiration to many. His legacy lives not only in landmark rulings but also in the countless lives he touched,” Prof Nyong’o said.
Justice Ochieng’ passed away on Wednesday, September 17, in Nairobi at the age of 67.
He was laid to rest at his rural home in Menara, Muhoroni Constituency, Kisumu County on Friday.
By Robert Ojwang’
