His passing was confirmed on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, by Chief Justice Martha Koome, who described him as a brilliant legal mind and a devoted servant of justice.
In her condolence message, CJ Koome said the Judiciary and the Judicial Service Commission had lost a respected leader who greatly contributed to the development of commercial law in Kenya.
“On behalf of the Judiciary, we extend our deepest sympathies to his family, colleagues, and friends. Justice Ochieng was a towering figure in commercial law and a strong advocate of mediation as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism. His legacy will remain with us,” she said.
Justice Ochieng began his judicial career in 2003 when he was appointed a High Court judge. Over the years, he served in several stations including Kitale, Kakamega, Kisumu, and Nairobi.
He worked in different divisions such as civil, criminal, commercial, and admiralty, earning respect for his fairness and deep understanding of the law.
In 2022, he was promoted to the Court of Appeal, where he continued to influence the legal landscape.
At the time of his death, he was also the Chairperson of the Court Annexed Mediation Taskforce, a body charged with rolling out mediation in courts across the country to ease case backlogs.
Before joining the bench, Justice Ochieng practiced law for nearly two decades at Kaplan and Stratton Advocates, where he built a reputation as a skilled commercial lawyer.
The legal community has expressed shock and sadness at his passing, with many describing him as a humble yet firm judge who was committed to justice.
His death comes barely a year after the Judiciary lost two other senior judges. In July 2024, Siaya High Court Presiding Judge Daniel Ogembo was found dead in his house.
The same month, High Court Judge David Majanja passed away after surgery complications in Nairobi.
Justice Ochieng’s passing marks yet another painful moment for the Judiciary, which has in recent years faced several high-profile losses.
CJ Koome urged Kenyans to stand with the family during this difficult time, calling for compassion and respect as the country mourns a man who dedicated his life to justice.
May his soul rest in peace.
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