The Commission on Administrative Justice (Office of the Ombudsman) has confirmed that its Commission Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, Mercy Wambua, has stepped down from her position.
In a statement on Friday, February 7, the Commission said Wambua submitted her resignation on January 27, 2026, and that it was subsequently reviewed and approved at the commission’s 80th sitting, in accordance with legal requirements and internal human resources procedures.
The commission added that it has initiated the process of appointing a new Commission Secretary and CEO.
“Following this development, the Commission has initiated the process of recruiting a new Commission Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, in line with the Constitution, the Commission on Administrative Justice Act, and applicable public service regulations, to ensure continuity in leadership and the effective discharge of the Commission’s mandate.”
CAJ Chairperson Charles Dulo further said the institution will continue to fulfill its mandate as the recruitment exercise progresses, and that the public will be updated on any new developments.
Mercy has served as the Ombudsman CEO since March 4, 2022. Prior to her appointment, the Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, with over 19 years of experience in administration, legal reform, and human rights, particularly in gender and social justice, served as the CEO of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) for six years.
Mercy Wambua profile
She holds a Bachelor of Laws degree and a Master of Arts in Gender and Development Studies and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Administration and Management, specializing in Strategic Planning. Wambua is also a Certified Court-Annexed Mediator and a Certified Public Secretary.
The advocate served as LSK Secretary/CEO between 2016 and 2022, having joined the institution in 2012 as Deputy CEO responsible for Compliance and Ethics.
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During this period, she also served as Secretary to the Advocates Disciplinary Tribunal and the Advocates Benevolent Association.
Earlier in her career, Wambua worked as Deputy Legal Aid Programme Coordinator under the former Ministry of Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs, and later served as a board member of Kituo Cha Sheria from 2019 to 2023.
Throughout her career, the outgoing Ombudsman CEO has received several recognitions. In 2024, she received the African Public Service Optimum Award for leading the best Constitutional Commission in complaint investigations across Africa.
The same year, she was ranked among the Top Five Women Lawyers under the Distinguished Service to the Profession and the Nation category during the Nairobi Legal Awards Women’s Soiree.
In 2019, Mercy was awarded the Order of the Grand Warrior (OGW) by former President Uhuru Kenyatta for her distinguished service to the nation.
Office of Ombudsman suspends senior officials
Her resignation comes months after CAJ suspended several senior officials, including herself, over allegations of gross misconduct, incompetence, and insubordination.
In a statement issued on October 31, 2025, Chairperson Dulo said the suspensions were intended to facilitate a fair and transparent disciplinary process in line with its Human Resource Manual.
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At the time, the Chairperson said the commission had also resolved to invite investigative agencies, including the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), to probe alleged financial irregularities identified through internal reviews.
The Office of the Ombudsman is a constitutional body established under Article 59(4) of the Constitution and the Commission on Administrative Justice Act, 2011.
Its mandate includes investigating maladministration in public offices and enforcing the Access to Information Act, 2016.
The commission is currently led by Chairperson Charles Dulo, Vice Chairperson and Commissioner for Access to Information Dorothy Jemator Kimengetich, and Commissioner for Complaints and Investigations Charles Kanyi Njagua.
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