Kenyan Lawyers, Judge bag regional awards

NAIROBI, KENYA: Three Kenyan lawyers and a High Court Judge have clinched regional awards for excellence.

High Court Judge Justice Isaac Lenaola, Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Council Member James Aggrey Mwamu, Senior Counsel Prof. Tom Ojienda and Irene Ndegwa were feted by the East Africa Law Society.

The EALS President Nassor Khamis Mohamed feted the lawyers at a colourful gala during the concluded 20th EALS Annual Conference and General Meeting in Zanzibar under the theme “The Legal Profession as a Vehicle for Trade and Investment in East Africa"

LSK Council Member Mwamu who is also the immediate former EALS President was awarded the prestigious EALS Presidents Award for exemplary milestones during and after his recently concluded tenure.

Mwamu left a mark during his regional Presidential tenure by promoting legal practise, Rule of Law and overseeing development of the draft Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) towards making cross border legal practice a reality.

It was during the tenure of Mwamu that the EALS filed several public interest litigation suits at the East Africa Court of Justice and won Rulings to influence regional laws and policies.

High Court Judge Justice Isaac Lenaola bagged the prestigious EALS Honorary Membership Award in recognition of his outstanding support and contribution to the development of regional jurisprudence and exemplary service to The Bench both in Kenya and East Africa.

Senior Counsel Prof. Tom Ojienda was awarded the EALS Anniversary Award 2015 in recognition of his exemplary service to the regional professional body during his tenure as President from 2006 to 2008.

Irene Ndegwa was feted with the EALS Young Lawyer of the Year Award for dynamism and promise in the application of the law for individual and collective good.

Other regional lawyers who were awarded include Mr. Salum Toufique from Zanzibar (Senior Lawyer of the Year), Hon. Justice Bart Katurebe from Uganda (Career Achievement Award) and Muyango Astere from Burundi (Young Lawyer).

The Rwanda Bar Association was awarded for being the Most Compliant Bar Association while The Legal Aid Project of the Uganda Law Society bagged the Social Development Lawyer Institution of the Year Award.

The EALS draws its membership from the Law Society of Kenya, Tanganyika Law Society, Uganda Law Society, Rwanda Bar Association, Zanzibar Law Society, Burundi Bar Association and Ethiopian Lawyers’ Association.