Judy Thongori: The life and times of family law and human rights champion

Respected lawyer Judy Thongori died on Tuesday in India where she was undergoing treatment, leaving a mark on Kenya’s justice corridors, especially in family law where the Senior Counsel was prominent.

Thongori had over 30 years of practice as an advocate, 10 of which were in active commercial practice and over 20 others in family litigation.

She dealt in matrimonial and children matters, estate planning, succession and mediation, and conveyancing.

Thongori attended Kahuhia Girls' High School for her O-level secondary education before joining The Kenya High School for A-level.

She graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Nairobi and then a postgraduate diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law.

After school, Thongori began her career at the Attorney-General's office before moving to Lee Muthoga and Associates.

She then started to build up a private practice and afterwards founded Judy Thongori & Co. Advocates in 2003 to focus on family law.

Until her demise, the lawyer was a founding partner at the Nairobi-based firm and per the company’s website, she was also a trained family mediator certified by the Mediation Accreditation Committee of the Judiciary of Kenya.

She was also a member of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and was the first woman lawyer in Kenya to be inducted into LSK’s Roll of Honour.

As a vocal lawyer and activist, Thongori is most known for winning a case against the Kenyan government for failing to deliver 30 per cent of the constitutionally mandated representation for women.

She also championed the drafting and implementation of the Marriage Bill and organised training sessions to sensitise police on the rights of women, after noticing poor handling of abuse cases where men were sole breadwinners.

Additionally, the lawyer was the former deputy executive director and head of litigation of the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA Kenya), a non-profit women's membership organisation that offers free legal aid to women and their children.

Thongori notably served in FIDA-Kenya in the 1990s and early 2000s. There, she also mentored young lawyers and was still an active senior member of the organisation until her demise.

In 2023, President William Ruto picked Thongori to be a part of his task-force on the review of the legal and regulatory framework governing religious organisations in Kenya in the wake of the Shakahola Forest massacre.

Thongori has been mourned as a selfless jurist and mentor whose impact on family law and human rights in Kenya will be remembered for years to come.

President Ruto on Wednesday described her as “an exceptional advocate and champion for justice.”

“Her dedication to family law and human rights touched many lives and left a lasting impact on our society. Judy’s kindness, wisdom and service will be deeply missed and remembered,” Ruto said on X.

Senior Counsel Bar Chairperson Fred Ojiambo described Thongori as “a selfless and assiduous contributor to that strand of the law.”

“Her willingness and selflessness to be of service to the Senior Counsel Bar, the Law Society of Kenya as a mentor to younger advocates will be greatly missed,” said Ojiambo in a statement.

FIDA-Kenya praised the lawyer’s wisdom, strength, and advocacy.

“You solidified your legacy as a vanguard champion of women's and children's rights. We celebrate your extraordinary life and commit to upholding the values you stood for and your mission of ensuring justice for all. You will forever remain etched in our history,” the federation said.

On her part, LSK President Faith Odhiambo mourned Thongori as “a beacon of excellence.”

“Her noteworthy contributions to family law and human rights are timeless and continue to propagate a learning curve for many in the profession. The legacy she leaves behind will remain an indelible mark of her impact that lives on among us,” Odhiambo wrote on X.

Thongori is survived by her husband, lawyer John Thongori, and their two children.