Education Qualifications of Kenya's Supreme Court Judges [FULL LIST]

The delivery of the full judgement by the Supreme Court of Kenya got most Kenyans debating the ideological and intellectual position of the apex court. A debate that is common in advanced democracies.

PulseLive.co.ke has looked at the intellectual composition of Kenya’s highest court by looking at the academic qualifications of the judges who participated in the historic Presidential petition.

Here are the details in order of the highest academic certificate held:

Prof. Jacktone Boma Ojwang

Justice Ojwang is a first among equals when it comes to academic qualifications. The judge holds a bachelor’s degree in law from the University of Nairobi and a master’s from the same institution.

Ojwang further holds a PhD from the University of Cambridge in the UK.

In 2014, the University of Nairobi made a customized special PhD for the Supreme Court after he submitted a voluminous thesis on the unity of the constitution.

“What I received is called a Higher Doctorate in Law (LLD),” says Justice Ojwang’, as he walks to the wardrobe to pick up his graduation gown. “They (the university) made this one specifically for me,” Ojwang remarked on his achievement.

Dr. Smokin Wanjala

The reserved judge with a baritone is also a qualified academician and legal scholar.

The law scholar holds a PhD from the University of Ghent, a master’s degree from the respected Columbia University, and a bachelor’s degree in law from the University of Nairobi.

Njoki Ndung’u

The former MP is one of the top achievers at the Supreme Court, having a Master’s degree in Law from the prestigious University of Leicester.

Ndung’u also has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nairobi (First Class) and a diploma from the Kenya School of Law where she emerged top student in the Class of 1989.

David Maraga

The Chief Justice holds a master’s degree in Law from the University of Nairobi and an LLB (Second Class Lower division) from the same institution.

An alumni of Kisii High School and the famous Maranda High School, Maraga is also a member of several professional bodies including the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, London.

Isaac Lenaola

Lenaola is the youngest judge at the Supreme Court but is also a high achiever in his academic life.

The Samburu-born judge attended the Alliance High School where he was top in the class of 1986 before proceeding to the University of Nairobi for a bachelor’s degree in Law. He graduated in 1990 attaining a Second Class (Upper Division).

Philomena Mwilu

The Deputy Chief Justice holds a bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Nairobi where she graduated class of 1984, attaining a Second Class (lower division).

The list does not include judge Mohammed Ibrahim who was taken ill at the time the petition was ongoing.