High Court judges will be required to hear cases in the Criminal and Anti-Corruption Division while dressed in the traditional black robes beginning June 5.
An internal circular issued by Senior Deputy Registrar Rose Aganyo indicates that the judges will be expected to drop the formal suit and tie they had become accustomed to and revert to the traditional black robes coupled with a white shirt with flaps.
The colonial mode of dressing along with the white horsehair wigs had been relaxed by retired Chief Justice Willy Mutunga in 2011 as one of his inaugural edicts.
Robes had been reserved for Court of Appeal judges who wear black robes when handling civil matters and red robes for criminal cases along with Supreme Court judges who don locally-designed robes in the green and gold colours of the Judiciary.
The new order casts light on the divergent style of administration between the former Chief Justice and the current who is understood to have a conservative demeanour.
The notice was addressed to all advocates and litigants with copies to Principal Judge Richard Mwongo, Presiding Judge of the Criminal Division Jessie Lesiit, Presiding Judge of the Anti-Corruption & Economic Crimes Division Hedwig Ong’udi and Justice Lydia Achode of the same department.
Criminal Divison judges also expected to comply with the new terms include Justices Luka Kimaru, Stella Mutuku, James Wakiaga and Grace Ngenye-Macharia.
