Justice Monica Mbaru has been elected as the Principal Judge of Kenya’s Employment and Labour Relations Court (ELRC), a move that marks a major milestone in the country’s labour justice and judicial leadership landscape.
Justice Mbaru was elected unopposed and succeeds Justice Byram Ongaya, who was recently elevated to the Court of Appeal. Her appointment places her at the helm of one of Kenya’s most critical courts dealing with labour relations, employment disputes, and workers’ rights.
Currently serving as the Presiding Judge in Mombasa, Justice Monica Mbaru will serve a five-year term as Principal Judge, renewable once under Kenya’s judicial framework.
Her election reflects confidence in her extensive experience in labour law, human rights advocacy, and social justice.
Education and Academic Background
Justice Mbaru holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the University of Nairobi and a Master of Laws (LLM) degree from the University of Pretoria.
She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Laws (LLD) degree at the University of Nairobi, where her research focuses on disability rights and the law.
Career Focus on Human Rights and Social Justice
Before joining the judiciary, Justice Mbaru built a distinguished legal career centred on social justice, labour rights, gender equality, and the protection of marginalised communities, including women and persons with disabilities.
She has worked with several respected institutions and organisations, including:
- Hivos Foundation
- International Commission of Jurists
- Kituo Cha Sheria
- Legal Resources Foundation
Through these organisations, she contributed to legal aid programmes, paralegal training, community outreach initiatives, and the advancement of access to justice in Kenya.
Contribution to Disability Rights and International Human Rights Frameworks
Justice Mbaru has also served as a consultant with the Secretariat of the African Decade for Persons with Disabilities, supporting the development of policy and legal frameworks in collaboration with the African Union and the East African Community.
She further contributed to the development of the Yogyakarta Principles plus 10, adopted in Geneva in 2017, which affirm international legal standards relating to sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics.
Justice Mbaru is also a member of the African Judges Forum and the African Judges and Jurists Forum.
Kituo Cha Sheria Celebrates Justice Monica Mbaru’s Achievement
Kituo Cha Sheria congratulated Justice Monica Mbaru on her election, praising her longstanding contribution to justice, fairness, labour rights, and human rights advocacy in Kenya.
Her appointment is widely viewed as a significant step in strengthening labour justice, judicial leadership, and the protection of workers’ rights in the country.
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