Some 13 years after Justice Thande Mugure joined the Judiciary, she continues to scale the heights of the profession carving her niche as bold and abrasive.
She has not only made decisions with far reaching implications but which have also set precedence.
While the changes announced Tuesday by High Court Principal Judge Justice Eric Ogola could be termed as normal transfers, her rulings are seen as the genesis.
A few days to the August 9 general election, she ordered IEBC to provide manual register for use in a situation a voter cannot be identified biometrically.
This is was as a result of a petition filed to challenge a statement by the then Commission chair Wafula Chebukati.
Previously, she overruled a decision by the Apex court that sought to gag litigants and advocates from making comments regarding the Presidential election petition.
The Presidential election petition amendment rules issued by chief justice Martha Karua had been challenged by lawyer Omwanza Ombati who termed it unconstitutional.
“I find that in making the impugned rules which contain a penal provision that is enforceable by the court, the Supreme Court went beyond its authority and usurped the law-making role of Parliament,” she averred.
But, a case filed by Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah thrust her to limelight when she issued a landmark ruling blocking President William Ruto from implementing the Finance Act.
Following the changes, Thande now moves to Malindi and will be replaced by Justice Chacha Mwita, who will be the Presiding Judge at the Milimani Constitutional and Human Rights Division.
So who is Thande?
Thande was among the 14 judges who were sworn in to office in May 2015 at Statehouse, Nairobi in a ceremony witnessed by retired President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Born 58 years ago at Kikuyu constituency in Kiambu, Thande is an alumnus of Kianda School in Nairobi.
She holds a Masters of Laws degree from the University of Nairobi, Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) from University of Bombay, and Bachelor of Arts from University of Jabalpur.
Having completed her secondary education she attained her Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law.
Upon her entry into the Judiciary, she has been practicing as an advocate starting out at B.W Kamunge & Company Advocates in 1991 after being admitted to the Roll of Advocates before moving on to Kagwe & Company Advocates between 1992 and 1997.
Later on, she moved to Kimani Kairu & Co. Advocates between 2001 and 2005.
Between 1997 and 2001, she became a sole proprietor of Thande & Associates Advocates.
Until her appointment as High Court judge in 2015 Justice Mugure was a partner at Kembi – Gitura & Company Advocates. BY THE STAR