Honourable Lady Justice Dorah Chepkwony is currently facing serious allegations of gross misconduct and misbehavior.
The complaint against her was filed as JSC Petition No. 29 of 2023 by Acorn Law Advocates LLP.
This matter has drawn attention partly because Nelson Havi, a well-known Kenyan lawyer and also a relative of the judge, has publicly committed to pursuing the case.
Havi emphasized that the fight to clean up the judiciary must continue even if it affects family ties.
The complaint points to concerns about Lady Justice Chepkwony’s conduct, but specific details have not been fully disclosed to the public as of early August 2025.
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC), which handles such disciplinary matters for judges, was involved in investigating the case.
However, the High Court has temporarily stopped the JSC proceedings after a petition by Kennedy Echesa.
This order was issued in March 2025 and remains in effect while the case awaits a hearing scheduled for April 7, 2025, with a ruling expected later that month. The court’s intervention signals that the matter is complicated and being carefully examined.
Lady Justice Chepkwony’s career has had a few controversial moments. Although no large scandals have been widely reported, some of her rulings have faced appeals and public debate. For instance, in 2018, she acquitted a suspect in a major ivory trafficking case, a decision that the Director of Public Prosecutions challenged and which was later overturned.
In 2019, she issued an order stopping the sale of Kenya Ports Authority assets while arbitration was ongoing, a decision that sparked mixed reactions.
More recently, her rulings in a multi-billion-shilling dispute involving a Mombasa hotel and a local bank have been both upheld and challenged in higher courts, showing that her decisions sometimes attract significant scrutiny.
The current complaint also raises issues such as delays in issuing rulings and alleged forum shopping, where a judge might be accused of manipulating the assignment of cases.
These accusations are serious because they strike at the heart of judicial fairness and transparency.
This case highlights ongoing challenges in maintaining judicial integrity in Kenya. Nelson Havi’s involvement, despite his family connection, underlines the importance some legal experts place on accountability within the judiciary.
The High Court’s involvement also shows that checks and balances are at work, but the public will need to watch closely to see how this matter is resolved.
The complaint against Lady Justice Dorah Chepkwony is part of a broader effort to ensure judges in Kenya uphold the highest standards of conduct.
Her past rulings have sometimes been controversial, but the outcome of this case will be important for public trust in the judicial system.
Fairness and transparency will be key to maintaining confidence in the courts.
