Raychelle Omamo

Ambassador Raychelle Awour Omamo SC is the Cabinet Secretary Ministry of State for Defense. She is an intelligent, conscientious and articulate Kenyan woman with proven leadership and professional skills in the areas of law and diplomacy.

Prior to her appointment she was the Director of CoSec Solutions Limited where she provided oversight and advice regarding the formulation of corporate governance training programs. She also has 19 years experience in full time practice at Omamo & Omamo Advocates. Ambassador Omamo has served in various professional services including:

  • Council Member of The Law Society of Kenya between 1996 - 2000,
  • Member of Auctioneers Licensing Board from 1998 - 2000,
  • Council Member of the Pan Africa Lawyers Union from between 2002 and 2003,
  • Council member of the Association of Professional Societies of East Africa from 2001,
  • Member of Advocates Benevolent Fund Board from 2001 - 2003,
  • Member of the [old] Council of Legal Education Kenya, Vice President and Council member of the East Africa Law Society from 2003,
  • Chairperson of the Law Society of Kenya between 2001 and 2003. 

Raychelle is the current Board member of the the newly constituted of Legal Education. Substantial contributions to the development of legislation and policy as follows:

  • Member of the Committee established by the Law Society of Kenya to Review the Law Society Act – 2010;
  • Member of the Minister of Justice of Kenya’s Task Force on the Establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission for Kenya – 2003;
  • Assisting Counsel to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Illegal and Irregular Allocation of Public Land in Kenya – 2003;
  • Delegate to the National Constitutional Conference of Kenya – representing Professional Organisations – 2002 – 2003;
  • Member of the drafting team in respect of the Kenya’s Children’s Bill, 2002 under the auspices of the Attorney General of Kenya’s Task Force on Children – 2001 – 2002;
  • Member of the Attorney General of Kenya’s Task Force on the Review of Landlord and Tenant Legislation – 1999 – 2000.
  • Delegate to the National Constitutional Conference of Kenya – representing Professional Organisations – 2002 – 2003;
  • Member of the drafting team in respect of the Kenya’s Children’s Bill, 2002 under the auspices of the Attorney General of Kenya’s Task Force on Children – 2001 – 2002;
  • Member of the Attorney General of Kenya’s Task Force on the Review of Landlord and Tenant Legislation – 1999 – 2000.

Key contributions to the advancement of the rule of law, the fair administration of justice and the protection of human rights in Kenya and in Africa as follows:

  • Member of a mission established by the International Bar Association to investigate encroachments into the independence of the judiciary, the rule of law and the administration of justice in the Kingdom of Swaziland – 2003;
  • Leader of the Law Society of Kenya’s National “Yellow Ribbon Campaign” in support of Constitutional and judicial reform in Kenya- 2002;
  • Leader of a mission/study established by the Law Society of Kenya in collaboration with the USAID to investigate land based electoral violence in Tana River District, Molo, Transmara District and Kibera in Kenya – 2002;
  • Member of a mission established by the International Commission of Jurists (Kenya) and the East Africa Law Society to Zanzibar & Pemba to investigate human rights violations and electoral violence – 2001 

Honours and Awards

  • The Constitutional Medal – December,2012, 
  • Honour accorded by the President of the Republic of Kenya.
  • Senior Counsel – December, 2012, Honour conferred by the President of the Republic of Kenya.
  • Croix de l’Ordre de Saint Grégoire le Grand – 2007, Honour accorded by The Holy See (The Vatican);
  • Jurist of the Year 2002 Kenya— Award presented by the International Commission of Jurists (Kenya Chapter);
  • Young Professional Woman of the Year 2002 Kenya — Award presented by the Young Business and Professional Women Association (Kenya Chapter); Eve Woman of the Year - Kenya – 2002; 
  • Rule of Law Award — 2002 — Award presented by the National Council of Women of Kenya for exemplary contributions to the development of the rule law and the administration of justice in Kenya.