Prof Sarah Kinyanjui, the Director of the University of Nairobi’s (UoN) Mombasa Campus, was conferred with a professorship at the age of 45 — a rare feat that places her among the few women professors in Kenya.
A mother of three, Prof Kinyanjui earned her PhD in Law from the University of Leicester, United Kingdom, in June 2008 at just 28 years old.
Her doctoral research, Genealogical Analysis of the Criminal Justice System in Kenya: Rebirth of Restorative Justice for Juveniles?, explored the evolution of Kenya’s justice system and the role of restorative justice for young offenders.
She holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the University of Nairobi and a Master’s in Law and Development (LLM with Distinction) from the University of Warwick in the UK.
Her master’s thesis examined Engendering Ethnic Violence in Kenya: An Analysis of the Response to Rape, while her dissertation focused on Domestic Violence in Kenya: An Analysis of the Legal Framework.
ICC-Accredited Counsel Who Became Professor at 45
Admitted as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya in 2006, Prof Kinyanjui is also an accredited Assistant Counsel at the International Criminal Court (ICC) since 2012 — one of the few Kenyans with this distinction.
A former top student at Moi Forces Academy–Lanet, she was named the best performer in the 1996 KCSE examinations.
Reflecting on her academic journey, Prof Kinyanjui said it has not been easy and described the path to professorship as a rigorous process.
“You have children, you’re taking them to school in the morning, or you have young children and you have all these caretaking obligations. It’s very challenging,” she said in a past interview.
“Professorship depicts academic growth. For you to become a professor, there are a couple of things you must do. Number one, you must publish. There’s a set number of peer-reviewed publications that you must complete.”
Also Read: How to Become a Professor in Kenya: Qualifications, Cost, and Salary
Currently, Prof Kinyanjui teaches international law, humanitarian law, and international human rights at the University of Nairobi.
She also lectures a postgraduate course on Women and the Criminal Justice System at the Southern and Eastern African Regional Centre for Women’s Law in Zimbabwe.
Since 2015, she has made history as the first female director of the University of Nairobi–Mombasa Campus.
Beyond academia, Prof Kinyanjui is a consultant for various organizations on gender, governance, reform, and legislation.
Her consultancy work includes collaborations with the Kenya Police Service and Prisons Department on “Sentencing Trends and Appropriate Sentencing.”
She has also worked with institutions such as the Legal Resources Foundation, Open Society Initiative for East Africa, the United Nations, the Public International Law and Policy Group—where she advised on the prosecution of war crimes in Uganda—and FIDA Kenya, where she contributed to anti-discrimination and equality initiatives.
Academic Awards and Achievements
Prof Sarah Kinyanjui’s academic journey is marked by numerous accolades that reflect her excellence and dedication to legal scholarship.
In 2009, while pursuing her doctoral studies at the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom, she was nominated by the School of Law to deliver the prestigious Doctoral Inaugural Lecture, an honour reserved for outstanding PhD candidates.
Earlier, in 2006, she received recognition for the Best Thesis Presentation during her PhD studies at the same university.
Her academic brilliance traces back to her undergraduate years at the University of Nairobi, where in 2001, she won the PLO Lumumba Prize for being the Best Student in Criminal Procedure and Practice, an award named after renowned Kenyan legal scholar Prof PLO Lumumba.
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Professional Career
Throughout her career, Prof Sarah Kinyanjui has gained extensive experience in academia, legal practice, and consultancy.
She served as an Adjunct Professor at the United States International University–Kenya in 2010, where she lectured in Criminal Justice and Juvenile Delinquency.
Between 2009 and 2010, she worked as a Senior Lecturer and Consultant at Kampala International University in Uganda. Prior to that, she was a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom from 2005 to 2009.
Her professional journey also includes roles outside academia. From 2003 to 2004, she worked as a Legal and Programmes Officer at Boomerang Advertising Agency and GCC I in Nairobi.
Since 1998, Prof Kinyanjui has been a part-time volunteer at the Legal Resource Foundation in Nairobi, contributing to legal education and reform initiatives.
She also gained valuable legal experience early in her career, serving as a Legal Assistant at Oraro & Company Advocates in 2003 and at Musyimi & Company Advocates in 2002.
During her university vacations between 1998 and 2002, she worked as a Research Assistant at Odhiambo & Company Advocates in Nakuru, honing her research and analytical skills.
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Well done prof.
Heartfelt congratulations to Professor Sarah Kinyanjui on this phenomenal and well deserved achievement. As a mother with a daughter who dreams of a legal career, your story is a powerful inspiration. Thank you for lighting the path and showing what’s possible and dedication. Wishing you continued greatness.