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Justice Daniel Musinga Biography, Education, Career And Landmark Rulings

Justice Daniel Musinga is a well-known name in the Kenyan corridor’s of justice. He was recently appointed the President of the Court of Appeal.

Justice Musinga replaced Justice William Ouko as head of the appellate court.

The veteran advocate is known for his forward thinking. Over the course of his career, he has ruled on major cases.

He previously served as chairman of the Judiciary Committee on Elections (JCE).

Background & Education

Though his education background remains unknown to the public, Justice Musinga is a Law graduate.

Justice Daniel Musinga Biography, Education, Career & Landmark Rulings
File image of Court of Appeal President Justice Daniel Musinga. |Courtesy| Twitter|

Career

He was first admitted as an advocate of the High Court in 1988. He practiced in Mombasa before he was appointed to a tribunal that investigated the conduct of High Court judges who had been suspended in 2003.

In October that year, he was appointed a judge and posted to Nakuru as a presiding judge.

He served in Nakuru until 2007 when he was transferred to Kisii as presiding judge of the High Court.

Between 2008 and 2010, Justice Musinga ruled in a number of high profile cases. Some of them, shook the very core of government.

Early 2021, he was appointed to chair the Judiciary Committee on Elections (JCE), succeeding High Court judge Msagha Mbogholi.

On May 24, Justice Musinga was appointed President of the Court of Appeal

Landmark Rulings

While head of the Kisii High Court, Justice Musinga nullified the election of two MPs in 2008.

In 2009, he nullified the creation of new districts. He ruled that the units, created in ten years by Presidents Mwai Kibaki and Mzee Daniel Moi, were ilegal.

The two former heads of state had created 256 districts. Musinga nullified 210 of them. This left 46 units, which he declared legally constituted.

That same year, he thwarted the controversial appointment of appointed Judge Alashir Vishram and lawyer Githu Muigai as Chief Justice and Attorney General respectively.

In 2013, he sat on a bench that criticised the decision by the High Court to allow for the creation of 80 new constituencies.

Awards

In 2011, he was named Jurist of the Year by the International Commission of Jurists – Kenya Section .