Chief Justice Martha Koome has announced the death of retired High Court Judge Omondi Tunya.
In a statement issued on July 7, CJ Koome mourned Justice Tunya’s passing and extended her sympathies to his family, friends, former colleagues, and those who had the opportunity to serve with him.
“It is with great sorrow that I have learnt of the passing of (Rtd.) Hon. Justice Omondi Tunya,” read part of the statement.
Koome said his legacy would continue through his years of service to Kenyans and wished him eternal rest.
Justice Tunya began his career as a magistrate before rising to the High Court, where he served for several years.
The Judiciary said he was committed to fair and timely delivery of justice and played a role in strengthening the rule of law.
Profile of Justice Omondi Tunya
Justice Omondi Tunya was a retired Kenyan judicial officer and advocate whose legal career spanned several decades, including service as a magistrate, Chief Magistrate, and High Court Judge.
Born in 1949 in South Nyanza, Justice Tunya earned a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree in 1973 before joining the Kenyan Judiciary in June 1974 as a magistrate.
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His Career Background
Omondi Tunya rose through the ranks, serving as a District Magistrate before being promoted to Senior Resident Magistrate in 1982 and later Principal Magistrate in 1987.
In 1990, he was appointed Chief Magistrate in Nairobi, where he handled several notable cases during a period marked by political tensions in the country.
He was among the judicial officers who presided over cases involving individuals accused of links to the underground Mwakenya opposition movement in the 1980s and early 1990s.
Justice Tunya was later elevated to the High Court of Kenya, where he served in stations including Mombasa and Eldoret.
After leaving the bench, he transitioned into private legal practice as an advocate, handling various civil and criminal matters.
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The passing of Justice Tunya marks another loss for the Judiciary after Supreme Court Judge Mohammed Ibrahim died in December 2025 following a long illness.
Ibrahim was among the inaugural judges of the Supreme Court, having been appointed in 2011.
Justice Ibrahim was elected on May 17, 2022, to represent the Supreme Court as a member of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
He was the first from among the Kenyan Somali community to be admitted to the Bar as an Advocate. He progressed in the firm becoming a salaried partner in 1985 and a full partner in 1987.
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