CHARLES WAWERU GATONYE
| NAME | CHARLES WAWERU GATONYE |
| AGE | N/A |
| GENDER | MALE |
| OCCUPATION | ADVOCATE |
Charles Waweru Gatonye, SC, is a prominent Kenyan advocate and the founding Senior Partner of Waweru Gatonye & Company Advocates, established in 1985.
Having over 40 years of legal experience, he is recognized as a Senior Counsel, a prestigious rank in the Kenyan legal profession.
Educational Background
He graduated from the University of Nairobi in 1974 with a Bachelor of Laws (LL. B) Honours.
His time at the university placed him among the early generations of Kenyan lawyers trained locally after the country gained independence.
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Following his undergraduate studies, he completed his mandatory legal training and was admitted as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya.
In addition to his legal qualifications, Waweru is a Certified Public Secretary, a credential that enhances his expertise in corporate governance and commercial law.
Gatonye is a certified professional mediator and a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Kenya Branch).
Charles Waweru Gatonye Career Background
Gatonye began his career in the Office of the Attorney General following his admission to the bar on October 21, 1975.
Here, he rose to become the Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, where he handled high-stakes criminal matters for the state.
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In May 1985, he transitioned to private practice by founding Waweru Gatonye & Company, a firm that has since evolved into a premier law firm in Nairobi, known for its expertise in conveyancing, property matters, and high-value corporate disputes.
His career is defined by his appointment to several landmark national inquiries and legal battles:
- Goldenberg Inquiry- he was appointed as Assisting Counsel to investigate the multibillion-shilling scandal involving the loss of public funds.
- The Grand Regency of Kimunya Commission – Gatonye served as lead counsel for the inquiry into the sale of the Grand Regency Hotel.
- 2017 Presidential Petition- During this period, he represented the IEBC as lead counsel during the historic Supreme Court challenge to the presidential election results.
- Major Commercial Disputes – Waweru led to the litigation of a KShs 13.5 billion case between the Central Bank of Kenya and the Uhuru Highway Development Authority.
- He remains active in mentorship, recently participating in programs like The LawDown Africa to guide the next generation of legal professionals.
- In professional associations, he is a member of the International Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a Certified Public Secretary.
Gatonye’s Achievements
Apart from the IEBC, CBK, and Regency successes, Charles made a defamation milestone by securing a whopping KShs 13.2 million judgment against Nation Media Group in a long-standing defamation suit that affirmed the protection of professional reputations.
In 2025, the senior counsel was recognized for reaching 50 years as an advocate of the High Court of Kenya.
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