Danstan Omari: My family thought I had gone crazy on taking up Shakahola brief

Here was an evangelist, Ezekiel Odero, being investigated for multiple criminal charges, including murder, aiding suicide, abduction, radicalization, genocide, crimes against humanity, child cruelty, fraud, and money laundering but the lawyer took him up as a client anyway.

Prosecutors linked pastor Ezekiel to cult leader Paul Makenzi, who is in custody facing terrorism charges over the deaths of more than 250 people.

It is not the first time the extroverted lawyer has taken up seemingly controversial high profile cases that hold strong public opinion. Pastor Ezekiel's case only added swell to the notoriety of his briefs.

From paupers to billionaires, from evangelists to the top political figures, Omari has virtually represented every cadre of the Kenyan society in his legal practice.

"You will be surprised, most of the people the public think are guilty, no evidence is ever found in court," he tells The Standard during an interview at a Private Members club in Nairobi.

"Have you represented clients who you strongly believe are guilty of the offences they have been accused of?" I pose.

"I'm a lawyer, my work is to represent my clients, if anyone wants to confess, let them go to church," he says.

For Omari, the English phrase that life begins at 40 is not just a dead sentence in the pages. It is the reality of his life. He has walked from being a secondary school teacher, a child officer to begin studying law at the age of 40.

The 59-year-old was born to Elkana Mogaka and Milka Kemunto in Nyabite, Nyamira county, in a family of 12 children.

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He says he was not always a bright student and had to repeat classes to attain grades that could take him to the University.

"For my Secondary, I went to Ruiru Secondary School, I was with former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu. I was active in extracurricular activities and I diverted a lot of my energies to other matters. Hence, I scored a division three. I would go back to school, form three, at Kiabonyoru High School where I met former CS Fred Matiang'i. I did my Form Four, and I scored a division two," he said.

After his Secondary School, Omari would be admitted at Kenyatta University where he obtained a Bachelor of Education degree. He went on to become a Secondary school teacher, teaching English and Kiswahili.

But after 15 years in the profession, he felt it was time to do something different.

He enrolled as a child officer and at the same time he began to study law.

"I decided to study law at 41. Every day I could leave Nairobi, drive to Kerugoya where I was a Children's officer then come back for my evening classes in Nairobi. It was hectic. I was admitted as an advocate on the 4th of November 2011. And then I graduated with a masters 28 days apart," he says.

His colleagues at the Children's Office came to know him as the advocate who was well versed with the law and especially on children's matters. They would introduce him to new clients who needed representation.

"Who was your first high profile client?" I pose.

Lawyer Danstan Omari representing police officers in the disbanded Special Service Unit (SSU) address the court at a Kahawa Law Court on October 31, 2022. [Collins Kweyu, Standard]

"His Excellency president William Ruto was my first high profile client. I reached the apex by representing him in the Abby case. Afterwards, I represented former Chief Justice David Maraga. The number of high profile cases I have represented in the children's court are numerous," he said.

Omari would go on to become a constant figure in high profile cases, and notoriously featured in numerous legal brawls pitting various clients including the brawls between outgoing Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji and former Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti.

Omari has been touted as the advocate whose boots are always strapped ready to represent people who call for his help- time and place, notwithstanding.

"High profile clients don't get problems during the day. I always laugh at the memes that Omari is sleeping with the briefcase...practice has changed," he says.

Away from his career, Omari is a husband and a father of two. He is in his 34th year of marriage.

"My wife decided to marry a person who metamorphosises like a butterfly, she has learnt to cope, I'm a fool to her, she's a fool to me. The wing I run for divorce, we were divorcing 25 people a week during Covid because they were not able to provide food for their families. My family knows this is how I provide". He says

"The keyboard warriors called Facebook and Twitter do not pay school fees for my children. They do not bring food on the table, people are busy making noise, the oath we took is to defend anyone who has issues with the law. The public is emotional," Omari says.

At 59 years of age, Omari believes he is still young and can pursue a career in any other field that he chooses.

"I might decide to do pathology, Shakahola has taught me that we don't have enough pathologists in the country."