Lady justice Maureen Onyango was on Friday elected as the new principal judge for employment and labour relations court.

Justice Onyango, who takes over from Justice Nduma Nderi, has become the first woman to hold the position, which among others involves determining labour disputes, setting out processes for instituting claims, petitions or appeals.

She will, as a principal judge, be answerable to the chief justice and will hold office for a term not more than five years and shall be eligible for re-election for one further term of five years.

KENYA’S JUDICIARY UPHOLDS GENDER BALANCE

The Judiciary continues to lead as the only arm of government that has met the gender threshold in its appointment of magistrates and judges.

Up to 230 of the 462 magistrates countrywide are women, with at least 25 women serving as chief magistrates, compared to 21 men. Of the 43 senior principal magistrates, 16 are women and 27 are men.

The position of resident magistrate also has more women, at 98, compared to 63 men. Of the total 26 judges at the Court of Appeal, eight are women, while 42 of the 105 High Court judges are women. The Supreme Court has two females out of the 5 male judges.