By Biketi Kikechi
There were several key figures, who drove the review process after the Constitutional of Kenya Review Act was enacted.
Prof Yash Pal Ghai
Former President Moi appointed Ghai after Kanu merged with the National Development Party.
Born in 1938, he was the chairman of the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission, which attempted to write a new constitution from 2000 to 2004. He then became the head of the Constitution Advisory Support Unit of the UNDP in Nepal and a Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in Cambodia on human rights.
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Born in Ruiru Kenya, he went to Jamuhuri High School, The Royal College Nairobi and later for law degree at The University of Dar es Salaam.
Dr Oki Ooko Ombaka
A top Kenyan lawyer, Ombaka served as the chairman of The Ufungamano initiative. He was appointed vice-chairman of the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission. He was at one time MP for Gem.
Ombaka was born in 1952 and later attended Alliance High School where he served as the head prefect while in Form Six in 1971.
He took his law degree at the University of Nairobi where he enrolled in 1973.
He was, however, expelled due to student politics and fled to Tanzania, where he joined Dar es Salaam University in 1974.
In 1980 Ombaka quit as a legal consultant with the UN to become a lecturer at the University of Nairobi. He died at his Nairobi home.
Prof Okoth Ogendo
One of Kenya’s most respected law scholars, Okoth Ogendo, a former vice-chairman of the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission died in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in April.
Born in 1944, Ogendo attended Maseno and Alliance High schools before proceeding to the University of East Africa in Dar es Salaam and the Oxford University for Bachelors Degree in Civil Law.
He then attended the University of Yale between 1973 and 1978, earning a Doctorate of Science of Law.
Abida Ali-Aroni
She took over from Prof Ghai when he resigned after some commissioners declined to wrap up the draft constitution and pass it over to the National Assembly for adoption.
Until her appointment, Mrs Aroni was 2nd vice-chairperson. She is currently serving as a judge.
Dr Patrick Lumumba
Dr Lumumba is a former secretary to the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission.
Currently, he is the chairman of the PLO Lumumba Foundation and a partner in Lumumba and Mumma Advocates. Lumumba is also a law lecturer at the University of Nairobi.
