National

CJ Koome appoints lawyer Hibo Yussuf Hussein as Notary Public

Newly appointed Notary Public Hibo Yussuf Hussein at the Supreme Court March 25, 2024. (Photo: X/GlobalNomad_)

By Mary Wambui | Tuesday, March 26, 2024

The holder of the office is required to serve the public in non-contentious matters usually concerned with general financial transactions, estates, deeds, powers of attorney and foreign and international business.

Chief Justice Martha Koome has appointed Lawyer Hibo Yussuf Hussein as Notary Public.

A notary public is concerned with the authentication and certification of signatures and documents attesting to their legitimacy.

Keep reading

They include documents like affidavits, academic documents, legal documents such as the power of attorney, wills, deeds, contracts, and others that require preparation and notarization to ensure they will be recognised and enforced in other countries.

Thrilled at her appointment, Hibo went to Social Media platform X to post the news to her followers.

"I am back at the Supreme Court of Kenya today where I signed the Roll of Notaries Public. The Chief Justice has appointed me as Notary Public! I'm thrilled to attain this milestone in my legal career! Next time I am back to the SC it will be to sign the Senior Counsel Roll," she posted.

The holder of the office is required to serve the public in non-contentious matters usually concerned with general financial transactions, estates, deeds, powers of attorney and foreign and international business.

Persons seeking to hold the position in Kenya are required by the Notaries Public Act, Cap 17 Laws of Kenya and the Notaries Public Rules of 1958 to have served as an advocate in the country for not less than five years.

Hibo Yussuf Hussein after her graduation with a Master's Degree in Public Policy at Oxford University in 2021.

After successful application, the advocate is invited to sign the Roll of Notaries Public before the Chief Registrar on a specified date and to collect the certificate of enrolment.

Previous experience

The advocate who is also a certified Mediator is one of the founders and partners at Hussein, Hibo and Associates Advocates based in Nairobi.

She has previously served as a Senior Policy Advisor to the World Trade Organisation's General Council's Chairperson Ambassador Amina Mohammed during her time as Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Culture and Heritage.

Hibo also consulted for Article 19 in advocating for freedom of expression and the right to information.

Her profile says she handles constitutional matters, family law, gender issues, Islamic law and finance, construction and engineering, corporate law, mergers and acquisitions and environmental law amongst others.

According to the Notaries Public Act, the appointment is renewable on an annual basis and ends on December 31 which is next after the date on which the certificate of enrolment became effective.

The Chief Justice may revoke the appointment made under Section 2 of any person who shall at any time cease for any cause whatsoever to be enrolled as an advocate, or who shall be suspended from practice as an advocate, or who shall be guilty of fraudulent or improper conduct in the discharge of his duties as a notary public, or who shall make any charge or demand any payment for any notarial acts in excess of those prescribed.