Success without a family is meaningless

Agnes Murgor 49, is one of Kenya’s leading international corporate and commercial lawyers and a senior partner at Murgor & Murgor and has in the past been described as amongst Kenya’s top lawyers. She spoke to Njoki Chege

The small stature and tiny frame belie the achievements and capability of one Agnes Murgor, an accomplished lawyer, mentor, mother and wife. During the lengthy interview, the personality and true character of Agnes emerged. What lay beneath the charming exterior was an extremely focused, and ambitious professional at the top of a challenging, and competitive profession.

Agnes is the second born of the Late Justice Mathew Guy Muli and Evonne Muli. It would be serious gaffe to simply dismiss her achievements as being attributed to a privileged upbringing, good fortune or luck.

Agnes revealed that in the early stages of her life, she drew inspiration from her late father’s struggle to the top.

“My father came from humble and Christian beginnings where sheer hard work and commitment were virtues dearly upheld in the family,” she says.

Agnes recalls with nostalgia the emphasis her parents lay on education and godliness.

Says she: “Both were task masters when it came to their children’s education. They taught us to be God-fearing and take education seriously.”

The discipline in the Muli family paid off with Agnes ending up at Alliance Girls High School, for both her ‘O’ and ‘A’ levels.

The next stage of her life was shaped by the rigours of Alliance in the 1970s and 1980s, with the legendary Mrs Joan Waithaka the then headmistress.

“Life at Alliance was not easy. While it may have compared to any other national school in the country, academically, it was bruising in its quest to produce top students nationally. Alliance was hard on students who were not prepared to sacrifice, and as such, was avoided by those more interested in the social aspects and amenities provided by other national schools,” she says.  

Career Path

Agnes went on to study Law in her father’s footsteps. She graduated with honours’ in 1986 from the University of Buckingham in the UK and joined the Kenya School of Law the following year. She did her pupillage at Hamilton Harrison and Mathews, one of the country’s most reputable firms, which thereafter employed her.

She says:  “However, given my penchant for hard work, I did not find my assignments as a junior advocate in the firm particularly challenging, and the exposure was also limited. I soon opted for employment as a State Counsel in the Office of the Attorney General in the Treaties and Agreement Department to gain both experience in law, and the public service.”

Agnes soon found herself right in the middle of numerous significant international commercial transactions and arbitrations, well before her contemporaries in private practice.

But as long as Agnes stayed in her parent’s home, it was possible to continue working in the AG’s office on the modest monthly pay of about Sh5,000. Upon getting married to Philip Murgor in 1990, it became impossible for the couple to make ends meet.

She explains: “Shortly after having our first child, a decision was made whereby I would leave public service, and set up a legal practice to supplement the family income. Hence the creation of Murgor & Murgor Advocates in 1992.”

Agnes recounts the challenges of establishing a new practice with a loan of Sh200,000 from a local bank. She had to contend with numerous broken promises from all those who had previously promised legal work, or support. But it was only a matter of time before Murgor & Murgor distinguished itself as a serious firm, attracting work from large corporations and banks. In a few years, Murgor & Murgor was among the successful, albeit small indigenous law firms in Kenya.

Amongst its better-known briefs, Murgor & Murgor was to represent the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) in the Goldenberg Commission of Inquiry into the Goldenberg Affair.

“In the absence of Philip, who had unexpectedly been appointed Deputy Public Prosecutor, I took up the representation of CBK in the much publicised proceedings,” she says. Despite being a commercial lawyer, she immediately adapted, and due to her sterling performance, in an arena dominated by the country’s best male lawyers, was recognised by the several reputable publications as being amongst the country’s most influential lawyers.

Agnes continued in Murgor & Murgor until Philip returned to the firm from Government service in 2005, after which she was able to refocus her career back to the corporate, and commercial field. She enrolled with the University of London for an LLM in International Business Law.

It was during this time that Agnes was headhunted by Diageo Plc, and appointed to serve as EABL’s Group Legal Counsel, and Company Secretary. This opened wide new opportunities for her in commercial law from a corporate perspective.

After four years at EABL, and having obtained her LLM in International Business Law, Agnes returned to the firm, which she founded where, she is currently redefining the role of the commercial and corporate section, with special emphasis in developing the commercial business practice on the continent. Her ambition has been to strengthen her already successful commercial and corporate practice within the context of Kenya’s Vision 2030.

Family life

On her family, Agnes is emphatic that her family always comes first. She stresses that it is difficult for human beings to remain focused on careers if there is no family to serve as a beacon. Says Agnes: “Without a family to share, success can at times appear meaningless. My greatest inspiration remains my family, initially, my late father and my mother, and today my husband and children, with whom I enjoy a very close relationship.”

She stresses that her greatest joys comes from watching her children grow and develop into responsible adults.

She says “Over the years, I have developed a great friendship with all my children, and my greatest joy comes from sharing their achievements and aspirations.”

Agnes and Philip have three children. Cherono 21, has followed her parents’ footsteps, and is in her third year studying law at the University of Manchester (UK). Kibet 17, is pursuing his ‘A’ Levels, while Chemeli 13, is in Class Seven at Kianda School.

Agnes has raised her children to have self-confidence, and to strive to achieve their goals, as nothing comes easy. 

“Each child is different and must be raised as an individual, to enable each discover their strength and talents. This way, they are able to develop to their fullest potential in whatever it is that they set out to do. As my children are at different stages of their growth, I find it important to always know what is going on in their lives,” she explains.

Balanced Life

As a professional, Agnes explains how she maintains a balanced life, stressing the important place of God in her life.

“To succeed in the roles of a wife, mother and homemaker, the right balance is necessary. It is not always possible to have the perfect mix, but one has to be prepared for the unexpected, and to make sacrifices on time, and other personal matters,” she says.

One of Agnes’ priorities is to set aside quality time for her family, especially in the evenings. The routine in Agnes’ home is for the family to share the evening meal. At dinner, the family members discuss the events of the day, their concerns, or current affairs. She finds that is the best opportunity to give advice and guidance, and find out what everyone has been up to, especially when bringing up teenagers.

Agnes derives fulfilment from self-development and personal well-being, both physically and mentally.

“I’m always looking for different ways to improve my skills and abilities. I enjoy reading professional books and journals, and materials on personal development and am a member of a book club. I often attend courses on my area of specialisation, leadership and development,” she concludes.

Agnes is a firm believer that health is wealth. She tries to fit in a regular physical fitness regime. Over the years she has found ways to de-stress by keeping herself physically active through African contemporary dance, aerobics, and recently, zumba.