By Ng’wono Bwo’Otwere
The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) has paid a warm, heartfelt tribute to two of Kenya’s most fearless defenders of justice, turning a formal award ceremony into a deeply human moment for the country’s legal fraternity.
At the centre of it all was Dr. John Khaminwa, honoured as the Jurist of the Year 2025.
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His recognition felt less like an award and more like a celebration of a life spent in service to others.
With a legal career spanning more than sixty years, Dr. Khaminwa’s story is one of courage, sacrifice, and a steadfast belief that the law must always stand with the oppressed.
Those present spoke of him not just as a veteran lawyer but as a moral compass—one who endured persecution during the colonial and post-colonial eras yet never abandoned his commitment to justice.
ICJ described him as living proof that the law, when guided by integrity, can indeed be “a tool for liberation.”
Alongside him, Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah received the inaugural Vanguard Warrior Award, a new recognition created by ICJ to honour frontline defenders of public interest.
Omtatah, known nationwide for his relentless court battles against unlawful actions by state institutions, accepted the award with humility but also with the pride of a man who has spent years fighting for ordinary citizens.
ICJ hailed him as a “community champion and a steadfast voice of integrity,” noting how his extensive litigation—touching on governance, environmental protection, civil liberties, and anti-corruption—has helped expand civic space and emboldened Kenyans to hold institutions accountable.
The most moving moment came when both awardees dedicated their honours to judicial officers across the country.
In their speeches, they praised judges and magistrates who, often under immense pressure, continue to uphold the rule of law with strength and unwavering professionalism.
They said the awards were not merely personal achievements but reminders of the shared responsibility to protect fundamental freedoms, reinforce constitutionalism, and support the resilience of Kenya’s justice system.
Both Dr. Khaminwa and Senator Omtatah reaffirmed their lifelong commitment to defending justice “without fear or favour.”
