Court's new orders to KNEC on Kenya's first transgender woman Audrey Mbugua

The Court of Appeal has ruled in favour of transgender woman Audrey Mbugua in an appeal that was filed by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC).

The Appellate court has directed KNEC to effect changes on Ms Mbugua's academic certificates to indicate her chosen gender.

KNEC had challenged a decision by the High Court which found Ms Mbugua deserved to have her certificates inscribed with "F" instead of "M" which she renounced in 2012 through a gazette notice.

Court of Appeal orders KNEC to change transgender activist Audrey Mbugua's academic certificates from "M" to "F" ece-auto-gen

"All in all, we are not persuaded that the appellant has established a basis for this court to interfere with the decision of the lower court," read the ruling by Justices Philip Waki, Gatembu Kairu and Otieno Odek.

Mbugua diagnosed with Gender Identity Disorder

According to a report presented at the court, a psychiatric evaluation of Ms Mbugua revealed that she has Gender Identity Disorder.

Dr Catherine Syengo Mutisya - the deputy medical superintendent at Mathari Hospital - explained that Ms Mbugua's GID was still a part of her life adding that her medical transition to a woman has progressed.

KNEC had argued that the academic papers were issued in accordance with the details provided when the activist registered for the national exams.