JOHN KHAMINWA
| DATE OF BIRTH | 10 June, 1936 |
| GENDER | Male |
| OCCUPATION | Lawyer |
| FAMILY | Married to Joyce Khaminwa (deceased), 3 children |
John Khaminwa is a veteran lawyer with over 50 years of experience in the legal field.
In addition to his legal practice, Khaminwa is recognized as a champion and defender of human rights.
He is recognized by many for his unique demeanour, boldness, and speaking truth to power despite his age.
The veteran lawyer owns a law firm under the name Khamniwa and Khaminwa Advocates which he formed alongside his late wife Joyce Khaminwa.
Khaminwa legal career
John Khaminwa has had a decorated career in the legal field throughout his career.
Khaminwa started practicing law in 1973 and has won several cases throughout his career and featured in very high-profile cases in the corridors of justice.
Some of the profile cases the veteran lawyer has handled include the case against the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) in 2022 where he represented the Kenya Human Rights Commission and Kituo cha Sheria.
Khaminwa argued against the constitutionality of the BBI process which was being championed by former President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
The veteran lawyer alongside a battery of prominent counsels assembled by activists successfully challenged the BBI case at the Supreme Court.
Cases the veteran lawyer has been involved
Khaminwa also represented Lawyer and Activist Miguna Miguna in 2018 when the government failed to arraign him in court over the matter of swearing in of Raila Odinga as the People’s President.
He also represented the outspoken lawyer in court to challeng his deportation by the Government of Kenya.
Khaminwa has also represented former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko at the Supreme Court. Sonko was seeking to overturn the decisions made by the High Court and the Court of Appeal, both of which upheld his impeachment by the Senate and the Nairobi County Assembly.
He also represented the former governor in a Ksh10 million graft case but later withdrew from the case claiming that he did not have all the evidence documents and would, therefore, be of no use to the case.
The outspoken lawyer has also featured in notable cases, including the famous “Nyalgunga” case. In this famous case, Khaminwa represented Edith Wambui Otieno, who sought to bury her husband, Silvano Melea Otieno, on their farm in Ngong’, near Nairobi. However, Melea’s family insisted that he be buried at his ancestral home in Nyalgunga, Siaya County.
He is also famously known for representing notable figures like Jaramogi Oginga Odinga in the late 1980’s and early 1990s when Kenyans were agitating for political reforms and multi-party democracy.
Khaminwa, besides his legal background, has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to human rights issues.
When discussing political and constitutional reforms in the country, his name features prominently. His advocacy for the respect of human rights put him at odds with Moi’s government, leading to his detention alongside political leaders Kenneth Matiba and Charles Rubia in relation to the Saba Saba Rally.
John’s Education Background
The lawyer is an alumnus of the New York University in the United States where he pursued a master’s degree in international law.
Khaminwa is also an alumnus of Dar es Salaam University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Law.
He also acquired an external Law degree at the University of London.
The vibrant lawyer attended Musingu Intermediate School and later proceeded to Alliance High School where he completed his high school education.
Outspoken lawyer’s net worth
Although Khaminwa has not discussed his wealth, his history of representing affluent clients in numerous cases may suggest that he is wealthy.
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