Siaya court to keep Argwings Kodhek's memory alive

Argwings Kodhek. [File, Standard]

On January 29, 1969, after a short stint in the courtroom and in politics, Argwings Kodhek died in a mysterious road accident in Nairobi.

As his family was mourning the death of a father, the country was also in tears, mourning the death of Kenya's first indigenous lawyer - the man some believed would rise to become a president.

Apart from a road in Nairobi named after his honour, there is little else to commemorate his contribution.

It is against this backdrop that the memory of CMG (Chiedo Mor Gem), as he was popularly known in Siaya has finally been immortalised into Kenya's spirit through the naming of the newly launched Siaya High Court in his honour.

Exactly 60 years after his demise, judicial officers from Siaya County where Kodhek was born, said the move was long overdue.

"This is a great honour to a county that has a Supreme Court judge, Chief Registrar of the Judiciary and many prominent lawyers," said the immediate former president of the Court of Appeal Justice William Ouko.

Ouko, who is also the chairperson the Building and Infrastructure Development Committee of the Judiciary, said they were working towards standardizing all the court structures.

"We want to ensure that all the court structures are the same for purposes of creating a good environment for our judicial officers to work," said Ouko.

Speaking during the launch, Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Ann Amadi said Siaya occupies a special place in the legal history of the country, being the birthplace of many leading lawyers who have left indelible marks in the profession and the rule of law.

"One of the illustrious sons is the late Kodhek who was the first East African to be admitted to practice law in Kenya. He had an inspiring and impactful career as a private practitioner who offered much-needed pro bono representation to persons who found themselves at loggerheads with the colonial government," said Amadi, who also hails from Siaya.

Many other members of the legal fraternity from Siaya are the legendary S.M. Otieno, the late Dr Oki Ombaka and lawyer Isaac Okero.

"Siaya is the one county that has given the most Law Society of Kenya (LSK) chairpersons like Isaac Okero, the late Joe Okwach and former CS Raychelle Omamo who served as the first female LSK chair from 2001-2003," she added.

The long list of lawyers from the county also includes Governor James Orengo, Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo, Emeritus Chief Justice Benard Chunga, retired judges Onyango Otieno, Richard Kwach, Joseph Raymond Otieno and the late Andrew Hayanga.

"I would like to suggest, Honourable Chief Justice, that the judiciary should consider naming some of these new court buildings after these sons and daughters of Kenya who have offered exemplary services to the rule of law," she said.

Chief Justice Martha Koome accepted the request to have the court named in honour of Kodhek, saying the county was known for having produced a considerable number of judges in the country's history.

"It is befitting to be at an event on deepening access to justice in a county whose sons and daughters have played a significant role in the development of our legal system," said Koome.

The Chief Justice, who also unveiled the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court and Small Claims Court, said these were committed to bringing the justice system closer to the people.

Koome was hosted by Governor Orengo, who lauded the move to name the new court in honour of Kodhek.

The governor, who described Kodhek as a trailblazer barrister, said this was not only a great honour to the late lawyer but to the people of Siaya as a whole.

"Bringing justice closer to the people through the courts will ensure a better coexistence in our community," said Orengo.