Accomplished Senior Counsel and advocate Pheroze Nowrojee is dead.
The distinguished lawyer passed away aged 84 and was widely respected for his unwavering defence of human rights, constitutionalism, and the rule of law, and mentored generations of lawyers across the country.
His death was first announced by Rarieda Member of Parliament and fellow Senior Counsel Otiende Amollo.
“Quite Saddened To Learn That My Senior, Senior Counsel Pheroze Nowrojee Has Passed On! A Quintessential Advocate Who Presented The Best In Court Advocacy. Rest In Power Senior!” Amollo stated.
Born in Nairobi, Nowrojee was credited for his contribution to the legal profession both in Kenya and the East African region.
Spanning decades, Nowrojee appeared in some of the most high-profile constitutional and human rights cases in Kenya and East Africa. Notably, he was part of the legal team that defended former Prime Minister Raila Odinga during the 1982 treason trials following the failed coup against President Daniel arap Moi’s regime.
More recently, he was part of the 42-member team that represented Odinga in his case challenging the outcome of the 2022 General Elections, which the former PM lost.
The team, led by Siaya Governor James Orengo, presented Raila’s petition before the Supreme Court, in which he argued that the election had no outright winner as the turnout figures were manipulated. Ultimately, the team lost after the Supreme Court judges upheld President Ruto’s election victory.
Aside from his contribution to Raila, Nowrojee was also a scholar and an author churning out books such as Pio Gama Pinto: Patriot for Social Justice (2007), A Vote for Kenya: The Elections and the Constitution (2013), A Kenyan Journey (2014), and Conserving the Intangible (2015).
Further, he has also received numerous awards in recognition of his contribution to the field of law. They include the International Commission of Jurists (Kenya), ICJ Jurist of the Year (1995), and the International Bar Association (IBA) Bernard Simons Human Rights Prize (2002-2004).
Other awards are the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Roll of Honour (2005), the Maasai People Safeguarding Rights Award (2007), and the CB Madan Constitution Prize (2014). Another notable achievement for Nowrojee is inclusion in The Lawyer Africa's Litigation Hall of Fame (Kenya, 2023)
In the wake of his passing, Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo mourned Nowrojee terming it as a “sad day for the law profession.”
“It is a sad day for the legal profession as we bid farewell to a man who taught us what it means to be distinguished professionals. A man of irrefutable poise and honourable character, whose life exemplified duty to service and dedication to Justice. Our hearts sink today, for we have lost one of the greatest to have ever done it,” she stated.
Odhiambo was joined by Senate Speaker Amason Kingi who penned a heartfelt condolence message mourning Pheroze. Kingi credited the veteran lawyer's contribution in the second liberation fight, lauding his firm, unwavering belief in the rule of law.
"Death has robbed our country of a great lawyer who contributed immensely to the growth of our jurisprudence and mentored many advocates through whose work his legacy will continue to shine," he expressed.
Kingi was joined by his National Assembly counterpart, Moses Wetang'ula: "Senior Counsel was a jurist of towering intellect, a steadfast defender of constitutionalism, and a refined literary soul. I had the honour of learning under his guidance lessons not only in law but in courage, integrity, and the duty to confront injustice with clarity and resolve."
