Kenya is mourning the loss of one of its most prominent human rights advocates, Senior Counsel Pheroze Nowrojee, who passed away at the age of 84 on Saturday in the United States. Renowned for his legal brilliance and unwavering commitment to justice, Nowrojee’s death marks the end of a significant chapter in Kenya’s legal and human rights history.
ODM Leader Raila Odinga led tributes, describing Nowrojee as the “epitome of forthrightness and resilience.” In a moving statement, Raila honored the late advocate’s steadfast role in the fight for civil and political freedoms in Kenya. “For as long as Kenyans have fought for their civil, political liberties and freedoms, Senior Counsel Pheroze Nowrojee has been there, steadfast and unbowed as the People’s Attorney,” Raila remarked, acknowledging Nowrojee’s influential role in shaping Kenya’s democratic journey.
Nowrojee’s work was integral to key milestones in the country’s constitutional evolution, including the 2010 Constitution, a landmark document that reshaped Kenya’s legal landscape. His contributions, marked by legal brilliance and activism, have left an indelible mark on the nation’s progress towards democracy and human rights.
As Chair of the Asian African Heritage Trust, Nowrojee continued to influence global diplomacy, peace, and education, further cementing his legacy as a champion for justice both in Kenya and internationally. His colleagues in the legal fraternity have lauded his impeccable advocacy and irrefutable poise. Faith Odhiambo, the President of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), paid tribute to Nowrojee, calling him a “bastion of constitutionalism” whose service to justice and dedication to duty inspired many.
Nowrojee’s passing leaves a significant gap in Kenya’s legal and human rights advocacy. His family, friends, and colleagues mourn the loss of a man who dedicated his life to upholding justice, peace, and democracy. As Raila Odinga aptly put it, “Rest in peace, Comrade Pheroze,” a fitting tribute to a man whose legacy will forever echo in the corridors of justice.
