Days after the Law Society of Kenya unmasked Brian Mwenda claiming that he was fake lawyer, the man presented himself to the police and on Wednesday, October 18, he appeared in a video at the Milimani Law Courts.
Mwenda was in the company of John Khaminwa, a renowned advocate of the High Court of Kenya and one of the country’s longest-serving lawyers.
Brian Mwenda, who spent the better part of Tuesdays at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations – DCI headquarters, was released after negotiations by his lawyers led by John Khaminwa.
Likewise, Dr. Khaminwa is a Kenyan Human Rights Activist who holds an international law degree from New York University school of law.
He is the oldest practicing lawyer, a permanent fixture in many high-profile constitutional cases in Kenya and across the border.
Khaminwa’s Top Cases
Consequently, the veteran lawyer was among lawyers in the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) the constitution amendment bill of 2020 appeal case.
Notable individuals Khamniwa has represented include Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, the late Kijana Wamalwa, Opposition leader Raila Odinga, former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko.
Others include Luke Obak, R Kinuthia and Ochieng Oneko just to mention a few.
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The vintage lawyer cuts an image of a determined human rights crusader with tough rhetoric against the establishment.
Notably, the grandfather of the court is well known to be a phone call away from representing those believing their rights have been violated.
Court Life
“Some magistrates rule judgements against me and give me reasons and I go ahead and appeal the same with judges the question of fears does not come up at all,” says Khaminwa
Further adding that in most cases he respects the magistrates and judges because they are young and are looking for experience.
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Additionally, the senior lawyer, while promoting respect to people in power asked advocates to respect the judges and magistrates.
“As an advocate do not exhibit arrogance before the judge, magistrates because you think you are more learned,” said Khaminwa
Dr. John Khaminwa was among the first crop of lawyers to be detained in the 80’s when the struggle for political rule hit the country during the late President Daniel Moi’s regime.
On the other hand, he began practicing as a lawyer in 1973.
It is now 50 years and counting and the 87-year-old learned friend is not about to stop.