Martha Koome confirms death of Court of Appeal judge Fredrick Ochieng
By Joel Masibo, September 17, 2025Chief Justice Martha Koome has confirmed the demise of Court of Appeal judge Fredrick Ochieng Andago.
In her statement on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, the CJ led the legal community in mourning following the passing of Justice Andago, a respected member of Kenya’s Judiciary.
”On behalf of the Judiciary and the Judicial Service Commission, I convey with profound sadness the news of the passing of Hon. Justice Fredrick Ochieng Andago, Judge of the Court of Appeal of Kenya. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and the entire judiciary during this time of great sorrow,” Chief Justice Martha Koome said.
Andago’s journey at the Judiciary
Justice Ochieng joined the Judiciary in 2003 as a Judge of the High Court, where he served with distinction in various stations, including the Civil Division, Kitale, Kakamega, the Criminal Division, the Commercial and Admiralty Division, and Kisumu. In 2022, he was elevated to the Court of Appeal.
”He will be fondly remembered as a towering figure in the development of Kenya’s commercial law jurisprudence and as a strong advocate for the promotion of alternative dispute resolution. At the time of his passing, he was serving as the Chairperson of the Court Annexed Mediation Taskforce, which is spearheading the national roll-out of Court-Annexed Mediation,” CJ Koome added.
Before joining the Judiciary, Justice Andago had a distinguished career as an Advocate of the High Court in the firm of Kaplan & Stratton Advocates for almost two decades.
”We stand in solidarity with his family, friends, and the entire judiciary community during this difficult period of mourning. We call for sensitivity and compassion as we share in this collective grief,” the Chief Justice said.
Justice Ochieng’ studied law at the University of Nairobi before joining the Kenya School of Law, where he earned his postgraduate diploma. He was admitted to the bar in 1983 and initially worked as a legal assistant at Kaplan & Stratton in 1982, rising to the position of partner by 1987.