•Senior Counsel Remembered as a Titan of Constitutionalism, Human Rights, and Legal Scholarship
Nairobi| Kenya is in mourning following the passing of one of its most distinguished legal minds, Senior Counsel Pheroze Nowrojee, who died at the age of 84 while on a family visit in Virginia, USA.
His death marks the end of an era in Kenya’s legal and human rights movement, and the departure of a man whose name became synonymous with principled advocacy, intellectual brilliance, and a relentless pursuit of justice.
A revered figure in the region’s legal circles, Nowrojee’s formidable career spanned nearly six decades, defined not only by the landmark cases he argued but also by the values he championed—constitutionalism, democracy, public interest litigation, and the rule of law.
A Life in Law: From Lincoln’s Inn to the Courts of East Africa
Born into a family deeply rooted in the legal tradition, Nowrojee’s fascination with the law began in childhood as he watched his father, A.R. Kapila, defend Mau Mau suspects during the infamous Lari massacre trials in 1953.
That formative experience ignited a lifelong commitment to justice and civil liberties.
Educated at Catholic Parochial Primary School in Nairobi and later at Billimoria High School in Panchgani, India, Nowrojee pursued higher education at Bombay University, the University of Dar es Salaam, and Yale Law School in the United States.
In 1965, he was called to the Bar at Lincoln’s Inn, London, and two years later, admitted to practice in Kenya.
His legal footprint expanded across East Africa, as he became an advocate in Tanzania in 1970 and Zanzibar in 1989.
Throughout his career, he maintained an unwavering belief that the law must serve the people, especially the marginalized and voiceless.
The Defender of the Constitution
Nowrojee’s legal brilliance was matched by his fierce defence of constitutional order. He played a central role in high-profile human rights cases, acted for political detainees during the one-party era, and stood firm against state overreach and impunity.
His advocacy helped lay the groundwork for Kenya’s democratic reforms and culminated in the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution—a document he not only defended but helped shape through decades of civic engagement.
An architect of public interest litigation in Kenya, Nowrojee never hesitated to challenge oppressive laws, and his written works on constitutional interpretation continue to guide legal thought across the region.
Tributes from Across the Nation
Tributes have poured in from all quarters—leaders, colleagues, students, and citizens—each painting a portrait of a man whose humility was as profound as his intellect.
President William Ruto hailed him as “a brilliant legal mind” and “veteran defender of human rights,” whose legacy would inspire future generations.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga described him as “the People’s Attorney,” noting that Nowrojee’s thoughts and footprints were evident in every milestone Kenya has achieved in its democratic journey.
Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka lauded him as a giant who “walked and worked the corridors of justice with honour, courage, intelligence, and wit,” while National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula remembered him as “a jurist of towering intellect” who embodied “clarity, courage, and integrity.”
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi credited Nowrojee for his critical role in the Second Liberation, stating, “Death has robbed our country of a great lawyer who contributed immensely to the growth of our jurisprudence.”
Human rights lawyer Hassan Omar Hassan, visibly moved, said, “A free People are creative, and a creative People are free—these were his words, and they will echo for generations.”
Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o described him as “an unparalleled voice of social justice” and a stalwart in Kenya’s legal and political reform journey, while MP Masara Peter noted his legacy as a chapter “defined by sacrifice, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to truth.”
Scholar, Poet, Mentor, Patriot
Beyond the courtroom, Nowrojee was a prolific writer, poet, and revered mentor. His intellectual contributions to constitutional theory and legal ethics are well-regarded both within and beyond Kenya’s borders.
Many of today’s prominent lawyers, judges, and lawmakers were shaped by his tutelage and moral guidance.
Those who knew him speak of a man whose moral compass never wavered—who treated the courtroom not merely as a space for litigation but as a platform for justice and dignity.
His calm demeanor belied a fierce courage. Whether cross-examining witnesses in landmark trials or addressing the nation on matters of justice, Nowrojee’s words carried gravitas and conviction.
His writings, infused with moral clarity and poetic insight, will continue to inform legal discourse for decades to come.
The Legacy Lives On
Pheroze Nowrojee leaves behind his beloved family—his wife Villoo, daughters Binaifer and Sia, and son Elchi—who, along with an entire nation, now carry forward the weight of a remarkable legacy.
As Kenya mourns, the legal fraternity reflects not only on the loss of a peerless advocate but on the challenge to emulate his example.
In an age increasingly marked by expediency and compromise, Nowrojee stood as a reminder that the law must never bend before injustice.
His death is not just the conclusion of a distinguished career; it is a national reckoning with the ideals that must endure: freedom, equity, and the unbreakable dignity of the human being.
Rest in power, Senior Counsel. The nation bows in your honour.
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