The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has mourned High Court Judge David Majanja as one of the fine minds on the Kenyan bench.

In a statement on X, LSK president Faith Odiambo said Majanja’s contributions to the judicial service formed a remarkable legacy to be remembered.

"On behalf of the Law Society of Kenya and myself, I convey my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the Kenyan judiciary fraternity. May the good judge rest in peace."


Judge David Majanja died on Wednesday evening while receiving treatment after a surgery at Nairobi Hospital.

Announcing his death last evening, Chief Justice Martha Koome termed Justice Majanja a ”towering figure in the development of our transformative post-2010 jurisprudence and a crucial pillar” of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and the Judiciary at large.

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“On behalf of the Judiciary and the Judicial Service Commission, it is with profound sadness that I announce the sudden passing of Justice David Amilcar Shikomera Majanja, Judge of the High Court of Kenya and Commissioner of the Judicial Service Commission. We are all heartbroken.”

“Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, colleagues, and the entire Judiciary and JSC fraternity during this time of deep sorrow and sadness.”

“We stand in solidarity with the family, friends, and the entire Judiciary and JSC community during this very difficult period of mourning. The Judiciary and JSC family calls for sensitivity and compassion as we come to terms with this sudden loss and share in grief with one another and with the people of Kenya.”

Majanja was appointed judge of the High Court in 2011, and has served in Homa Bay, Migori, Kisumu and Kisii.

He has also served at the Commercial and Tax Divisions and was, at the time of his death, stationed at the Milimani High Court Civil Division.

The judge was on May 25, 2024 re-elected as a member of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) representing the Kenya Magistrates and Judges Association (KMJA).

He emerged top in the race after garnering 81 votes, beating out fellow judges James Olola (47 votes) and Joram Abuodha (9 votes).

Majanja was first elected to the JSC on May 14, 2019 for a five-year term.