Unexpected first major task for Winfridah Mokaya, Chief Registrar of the Judiciary
Chief Registrar of the Judiciary of Kenya, Winfridah Boyani Mokaya, administers the oath of office to Deputy President Kithure Kindiki during his swearing-in at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre on November 1, 2024.
What you need to know:
- At one point, Ms Mokaya was compelled to pause as the delighted citizens erupted in applause, celebrating the new Deputy President as he religiously repeated the oath read by her.
- She first administered the oath of allegiance to the Republic of Kenya before concluding with the oath of execution of office for the Deputy President.
When Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Winfridah Mokaya assumed office in March this year, she could not have anticipated that her first high-profile assignment would be to swear in a new Deputy President.
Yet, as fate would have it, just seven months into her tenure, on Friday, November 1, Ms Mokaya administered the oath of office to Kenya's second in command, Prof Kithure Kindiki, at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC)
At around 11 am, the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary administered the oath to Prof Kindiki amidst cheers from the crowd, who had gathered in anticipation of this significant ceremony, which followed closely on the heels of the 2022 General Elections.
At one point, Ms Mokaya was compelled to pause as the delighted citizens erupted in applause, celebrating the new Deputy President as he religiously repeated the oath read by her.
She first administered the oath of allegiance to the Republic of Kenya before concluding with the oath of execution of office for the Deputy President.
Prof Kindiki succeeded Rigathi Gachagua, who was impeached by the National Assembly, a fate subsequently sealed by the Senate, leading to his removal from office. He is challenging the impeachment in court.
Mr Gachagua had served as Deputy President since September 2022, following his swearing-in alongside President William Ruto after the Supreme Court upheld their election.
By administering the oath to Prof Kindiki, Ms Mokaya marked a significant turning point in Mr Gachagua’s political journey.
Under normal circumstances, Ms Mokaya would have anticipated waiting until the 2027 General Elections to undertake her first high-profile assignment.
However, the political rift between Mr Gachagua and his boss, President Ruto, presented Ms Mokaya with her biggest assignment, mere months into her new role.
Ms Mokaya was appointed following a competitive recruitment process, beating six other candidates who were also interviewed for the position.
The other candidates included Ms Rose Macharia, Mr Jack Ouma , Ms Anne Wambeti , Mr Paul Maina, Ms Caroline Kendagor and Mr Kennedy Kandet.
She succeeded Anne Amadi, whose term concluded earlier this year, and was sworn in as Chief Registrar of the Judiciary in March 2024.
Ms Mokaya is set to serve a five-year term as the Chief Administrator and Accounting Officer of the Judiciary. She will also hold the positions of Secretary to the Judicial Service Commission and Secretary to the National Council on Administration of Justice.
Prior to her appointment, Ms Mokaya served as the Registrar of the Judicial Service Commission, a role she assumed in 2012. An advocate of the High Court of Kenya, she began her journey within the Judiciary in 1997, progressing from District Magistrate II to Senior Principal Magistrate.
She holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Nairobi, complemented by a Postgraduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law. Additionally, she is a Certified Public Secretary.
