Kenya’s legal and academic circles were left reeling following the sudden deaths of two prominent professionals: lawyer Dr. Wilfred Mutubwa and lecturer Dr. Jairus Omuteche. The two deaths, occurring within days of each other, have sparked widespread grief and calls for thorough investigations.
Lawyer Wilfred Mutubwa Collapses During Court Session
Dr. Wilfred Mutubwa, a distinguished legal mind and academic, collapsed and died on Monday while attending a virtual court session from his office near Nairobi Hospital. Colleagues reported that he appeared well before the session broke for a brief recess, during which he collapsed. He was rushed to Nairobi Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
Dr. Mutubwa served as the Dean at Mount Kenya University (MKU) School of Law and was an ardent advocate for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). He chaired the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) – Kenya and represented Kenya at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. Recently, he had been mediating a high-profile dispute involving Nairobi Hospital.
Faith Odhiambo, President of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), described Dr. Mutubwa as a towering figure in Kenya’s legal profession. “He led a reputable career as a decorated practitioner, academician, and champion of ADR,” she said. His contributions to arbitration significantly enhanced its role in Kenya’s justice system.
Dr. Mutubwa’s brief tenure as Dean at MKU was marked by transformative mentorship and leadership, garnering praise from colleagues and students alike. MKU’s management expressed profound sorrow over his passing, calling it an immense loss to both academia and the legal fraternity.
The body of Dr. Mutubwa has been moved to the mortuary for an autopsy to establish the cause of death.
Missing Masinde Muliro University Lecturer Found Dead
Meanwhile, tragedy struck another institution as the body of Dr. Jairus Omuteche, a lecturer at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST), was found in a river after he had been reported missing for three days.
Dr. Omuteche disappeared on Saturday, November 23, sparking an intensive search. His body was eventually discovered in River Jordan at its intersection with River Yala, approximately 15 kilometers from where he was last seen.
Police officers at the scene initiated investigations to determine whether Dr. Omuteche drowned or was the victim of foul play. His body has been moved to a local mortuary, pending an autopsy.
The academic community and his family are grappling with the loss of Dr. Omuteche, who was widely respected for his dedication to teaching and his contributions to education.
Tributes and Investigations
Both deaths have drawn an outpouring of tributes and raised urgent questions. Legal and academic professionals have called for comprehensive investigations to uncover the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Dr. Mutubwa’s demise highlights the demands and pressures facing Kenya’s legal practitioners, while Dr. Omuteche’s case has ignited concerns over personal safety in the country.
The LSK has pledged support for Dr. Mutubwa’s family during this difficult time, while MMUST has vowed to honor Dr. Omuteche’s legacy in academia.
As investigations continue, Kenya mourns the loss of two exceptional individuals whose work left an indelible mark on their respective fields. The outcomes of the autopsies and police inquiries are eagerly awaited as the nation seeks closure in these tragic cases.
