Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) CEO Ezekiel Mutua on Wednesday heaped praise on lawyer Elisha Ongoya, saying he won all the cases he represented him.
Ongoya, who is part of a team of lawyers representing Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua at the Senate, grilled Kibwezi MP Mwengi Mutuse who moved an impeachment motion and became a trending topic on social media platforms.
Mutua said Ongoya came to his rescue during the late President Mwai Kibaki’s reign when he clashed with some top government officials.
“I had just been elected Secretary General of the Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) and did what I always do best - revive moribund institutions, give them visibility and create almost an instantaneous impact.
“…then suddenly all hell broke loose. Our fierce stance on media freedom didn't go well with the Government and we also lost the goodwill of Media Owners because of defending journalists and demanding better pay for them. A plot was hatched to bring us down,” said Mutua.
He added that in 2005 he had so many cases against him that even his friends from the legal field abandoned him.
It was around this time that he bumped into Ongoya during a radio show and he offered to represent him pro bono.
According to Mutua, the lawyer won all his three cases and as a result, became his family lawyer for many years.
“Elisha Zebedee Ongoya simply salvaged my career and gave me a new lease of life by getting me cleared of all charges, paving way for me to become the Director of Information and Public Communications in 2007. The rest, as they say, is history!” wrote Mutua.
Ongoya’s tough cross-examination of Mutuse on Wednesday endeared him to many as he tasked the lawmaker to explain how he arrived at the Sh5.2billion valuation of Gachagua’s fortunes.
Born on April 15, 1975, Ongoya holds a Bachelor’s Degree and Masters of Law from the University of Nairobi.
He is an advocate of the High Court of Kenya and a Senior lecturer at Kabarak University.