Veteran lawyer Judy Thongori has passed away. Her death, which followed a brief illness, was announced on Wednesday, January 15, 2025.
Thongori was a distinguished Senior Counsel and family lawyer with over 30 years of experience.
She has worked as a mediator in family matters and was a strong believer that the family is the core of society.
Judy also believed that, as family conflicts are inevitable, any serious society should invest in family conflict resolution.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo while expressing her grief, mourned Thongori as a beacon of excellence.
“This morning, the legal fraternity mourns the loss of a distinguished member and beacon of excellence. Judy Thongori SC has been a monument of legal prowess and exemplified all the qualities of a professional North Star.
Her noteworthy contributions to family law and human rights are timeless and continue to propagate a learning curve for many in the profession,” said the LSK President.
Judy Thongori mourned
Odhiambo noted that the legacy Thongori leaves behind will remain an indelible mark of her impact.
“We condole with all her friends, family, colleagues, and the Senior Counsel Bar for this immense loss.
We pray for divine comfort and healing as we contend with this unfortuitous news. May she rest in peace,” she added.
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Homa Bay Town Member of Parliament (MP) Peter Kaluma also mourned her passing, describing Thongori as a trailblazer in the legal profession and a champion of law practice.
“It is with sadness that I have received the news of the passing on of my friend Judy Thongori SC. Judy was a towering pillar in family law practice, a mentor to many and a fighter for justice for the downtrodden. May God comfort and strengthen her family. Rest in Peace Judy,” said Kaluma.
Thongori was the proprietor of Judy Thongori & Co. Advocates, a law firm she founded in 2003 with a strong focus on family law.
Until her demise, the Senior Counsel served as an experienced litigator, advisor, and mediator in family law matters, with a career spanning more than 30 years.
Career and Experience
Judy extensively litigated on behalf of many individuals involved in family disputes at all levels of the court system.
She also made significant contributions to public awareness and discourse on various aspects of family law through audio, television, and print media.
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Judy was a trained Family Mediator accredited by the Mediation Accreditation Committee of the Judiciary of Kenya.
The experienced litigator also contributed to international litigation on children and family issues through opinions for courts and lawyers in the United Kingdom, France, Netherlands, and other countries.
Thongori held a Bachelor of Laws (LL. B) from the University of Nairobi and a Postgraduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law. She has in the past been recognized for her contribution to family law in Kenya.
In 2013, she became the first woman to be inducted into the “Roll of Honour” by LSK for distinguished service in the legal profession in Kenya.
LSK also awarded her in recognition of offering pro Bono legal services in 2015. Thongori was conferred the rank of Senior Counsel in 2020 for her exemplary work in the legal profession.
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