Justice Ongaya elected new Labour Court Principal Judge

Justice Byram Ongaya has been elected the new Principal Judge of the Employment and Labour Relations Court (ELRC), taking over from Justice Maureen Onyango who has served in the position for five years.

Justice Ongaya ascended to the court’s top seat after staving off competition from Justices Jorum Nelson Abuodha and Nzioki Wa Makau who also contested for the position.

The Kenya Judiciary Academy (KJA) Director Justice Dr Smokin Wanjala presented Justice Ongaya with a Certificate of Election and congratulated him on the feat.

Justice Ongaya, while accepting the certificate, said he was humbled by the judges’ expression of confidence in him to serve as their Principal Judge.

He noted that the workload of the court is heavy and asked judges, the Judiciary administration and various stakeholders to support him deliver on the ELRC’s mandate and the vision of the Judiciary of Social Transformation through Access to Justice.

“Justice Ongaya was appointed Judge of the ELRC in 2012. He has served in Nakuru, Nyeri, Nairobi and Mombasa. He holds a Master of Laws degree (LLM) from the University of Nairobi. He attained a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Nairobi in 1998. He was admitted to the Roll of Advocates of the High Court in 2000,” read a statement to newsrooms.

“The Employment and Labour Relations Court (ELRC) is established under Article 162 (2) (a) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010.  It has exclusive and appellate jurisdiction to hear and determine all disputes relating to employment and Labour relations as highlighted under Section 12 (1) of the Employment and Labour Relations Court Act.”