Anne Amadi, the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary, lived a relatively silent life up until Thursday, May 18, when the High Court in Nairobi ordered that personal bank accounts and those of her son, Brian Ochieng Amadi, and two others be frozen with immediate effect.
A Dubai-based company dealing in gold sued Amadi and her alleged accomplices for acting on Amadi and Associates Advocates's behalf to allegedly obtain over Ksh102 million for gold they never supplied.
Amadi was appointed registrar on January 11, 2014, after serving for over two decades as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya under the Amadi and Associates Advocates.
She joined the Judiciary in 1990 as a District Magistrate II (Prof.), rising through the ranks to become a Resident Magistrate before joining the private legal practice as a Sole proprietor at A. A. Amadi & Co. Advocates between 1997 and 2003.
Between 2003 and 2008, Amadi served at the Federation of Women Lawyers – Kenya (FIDA) as Deputy Executive Director and as the National Coordinator of the National Legal Aid and Awareness Programme (NALEAP), Ministry of Justice National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs, between 2008 and 2011.
Later, she returned to private practice, serving several organisations and businesses as a Legal consultant.
Amadi was appointed chief registrar by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), an independent body responsible for appointing, promoting, and disciplining judges and magistrates.
The Chief Registrar is thus a member of the Judicial Service Commission and the Judiciary's Accounting Officer.
She is a critical figure in the Kenyan Judiciary and plays a vital role in ensuring that the Judiciary delivers justice efficiently and effectively.
As the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary, Amadi oversees the administration of the Judiciary, such as managing its staff, finances and property.
She is also the head of the Judiciary's administrative arm, responsible for the day-to-day running of the Judiciary, including the management of its staff, finances, and property.
Amadi further handles other statutory responsibilities, such as the registration of lawyers and the administration of the Judiciary's case management system.
Another key duty is swearing in the President and his deputy in a ceremony witnessed by the Chief Justice.
As a top judicial officer, Amadi advises the Chief Justice and other judges on administrative matters, represents the Judiciary at national and international conferences and promotes the Judiciary's image and public confidence in the administration of justice.
Amadi holds a Master's degree in Criminal Justice from Boston University in the United States, a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Nairobi, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Kenya School of Law.
She also has postgraduate degrees in Alternative Dispute Resolution from California State University and the Law of Internal Displacement from the Institute of International Humanitarian Law in San Remo, Italy.
