Belinda Akoth Akello, a Kenyan legal expert, is seeking appointment as a Judge of the Environment and Land Court (ELC). On April 10, the Judicial Service Commission, JSC, nominated her and 36 others for appointment as judges. She hit the headlines after displaying her impeccable brilliance, impressive career, and mastery of English and Swahili during an interview before the panel.
Belinda is a High Court advocate, chartered arbitrator, certified mediator, and certified secretary, recognized for her integrity, leadership, and impartiality.
She brings extensive experience in both environmental and land law, having served in key national institutions and contributed to legal reforms, land dispute resolutions, and environmental governance at local, regional, and international levels.
Belinda Akoth Akello Early Life and Education
Akello was born and raised in Siaya County.
She holds dual Bachelor’s degrees: a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) in Law from the University of Nairobi where she studied from 2002 to 2006 graduating with Second Class Upper Honours, and a Bachelor’s in International Business Administration (Finance) from United States International University Africa between 2001 and 2005, graduating Magna Cum Laude grade.
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She further advanced her education at The Australian National University (ANU), where she completed dual Master’s degrees in Public Policy and Diplomacy from 2012 to 2014, specializing in Public Policy Analysis, graduating with High Distinction.
During her time at ANU, she also served as Vice-President of the Postgraduate Student Association and President of the ANU African Students Association.
She also holds two postgraduate diplomas and is currently undertaking research, strengthening her expertise in law, governance, and public policy.
Career and Professional Achievements
Belinda’s career spans public service and legal reform, particularly in areas relating to land justice and environmental governance.
Currently, she serves as Secretary of the Environment Tribunal, where she oversees dispute resolution in environmental law and represents Kenya in regional and international forums, including a four-year African Union task force on regional ocean governance.
Prior to this, she served as Deputy Director Legal at the National Land Commission (NLC), engaging in land reform initiatives, reviewing cases of land alienation, and addressing issues of historical land injustices, absentee landlords, and squatter settlements, particularly in coastal Kenya.
She has also worked as Director Legal at the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC), documenting historical land injustices and contributing to recommendations for legal and regulatory reforms across the country.
Her achievements include facilitating the Kilimanjaro Movement, supporting rural women from 20 African countries in securing land titles, and leading the Environment Tribunal to be ranked Kenya’s best environment tribunal in 2019 to 2020.
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She has also received national recognition, including the Order of the Grand Warrior of Kenya and an award for financial propriety from the Head of Public Service.
Belinda Akello Interview
During the interview, she defended that her fluency in Kiswahili has helped her translate work, and she believes that her profession is the bedrock of integrity.
“I do believe that a good judge should be able to have good communication skills in English. Also, in Swahili, I am a good judge. I can explain myself very well, and my language has helped me a lot, especially in areas where many times our businesses don’t have a lawyer or they don’t know the language. So, I have been able to explain myself in Swahili from time to time. Also, in rural areas, we often go to work with people in small groups. At the same time, it is good to talk in Swahili, to understand the rights of the land that has been occupied. My lady, as a leader, I also bring integrity, impartiality, and independence. I can be firm and courteous, my lady, and integrity is the bedrock of my professional identity.”
