In January 2024, the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary and Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, Anne Amadi retired after a ten-year stint.
Amadi talked about her exit in her presentation during the unveiling of the State of the Judiciary and the Administration of Justice Annual Report (SOJAR) at the Supreme Court of Kenya on November 24, 2023.
“For me, this is a very special day, a day when I begin my sign-off from office, effectively my last day after serving as the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary for 10 years.
It is a day I get the opportunity to express my sincere gratitude for the opportunity and privilege I have had in this great institution as I say goodbye to you,” said Amadi.
She was appointed as the Chief Registrar on a five-year renewable contract in January 2014 to succeed her predecessor, Gladys Boss Shollei – now the National Assembly’s Deputy Speaker and Uasin Gishu Woman Representative.
Judiciary role
Amadi was widely recognized due to her powerful role as the Presidential Oath administrator, acting in her capacity as the Chief Registrar.
Notably, Amadi administered the oath of office to President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2017 and to President William Ruto in 2022.
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“One of the most exciting things I got to do was the administration of the Oath of Office to two Presidents, in 2017 and 2022,” she recalled.
Also, her roles as the Chief Registrar included serving as the Secretary to the Judicial Service Commission – JSC and National Council for Administration of Justice.
In her speech, Amadi, whose first five-year contract was renewed in 2019, recalled her journey as the Chief Registrar.
“I can assure you that there have been many difficult moments when the only thing that kept me going were the prayers and support from you all,” she said.
Amadi went on to add, “I don’t take for granted all the support I received from each and every one of you, from inside and outside the Judiciary.”
Education Background of Anne Amadi
Her journey began when she attained a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Nairobi.
Additionally, she went on to join the Kenya School of Law for a post Graduate Diploma in Legal practice.
Anne Amadi was admitted to the bar in Kenya in 1987, where after a short stint in private practice, she joined the Judiciary as a District Magistrate (II) (Prof.) in 1990.
Through sheer determination, she rose through the ranks to become a Resident Magistrate before joining private legal practice.
Notably, during her stint in private legal practice she was a Sole proprietor at A. A. Amadi & Co. Advocates between 1997 and 2003.
Anne holds a master’s degree in criminal justice from Boston University, USA, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Alternative Dispute Resolution from California State University.
Additionally, she holds a Post Graduate Diploma in the Law of Internal Displacement from the International Institute of Humanitarian Law, San Remo, Italy.
After her private legal practice, Amadi served at Federation of Women Lawyers – Kenya (FIDA) as Deputy Executive Director between 2003 and 2008.
FIDA Kenya is a leading women’s rights organization in Kenya whose core business is the provision of legal aid services to indigent women.
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As Head of Litigation, she managed all the affairs of the organization’s three legal aid clinics in Nairobi, Kisumu, and Mombasa.
Fast forward, following her exit from FIDA, she joined the National Legal Aid and Awareness Program (NALEAP).
Notably, she held the post of the National coordinator at NALEAP between up to 2011 before leaving to become a consultant.
Furthermore, she worked as a consultant until her appointment as the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary.
Highlights Reforms at the Judiciary
During her last speech as the Chief Registrar, Amadi highlighted the different transformations that have been witnessed in the Judiciary.
These include expansion of courts, technological advances, gender sensitivity, organization structure, among others.
She went on to state, “I leave a Judiciary that has taken a significant turn in strengthening its structures, enhancing its resource portfolio, and modernizing its culture.”
Amadi asserted that the dream of Judiciary transformation is one being fulfilled.
“I believe that the ten-year blueprint the CJ launches today will make the dream come true,” she added. Anne Amadi is among applicants seeking to become Kenya’s next chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission – IEBC.
