Justice Mumbi Ngugi, one of Kenya’s prominent judges, has been honoured with the Global Jurist of the Year Award for her lifelong work in support of human rights.
Justice Mumbi, who serves in the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Division of the High Court, will receive the award on Tuesday, February 19, during a webinar.
The award is from the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law Centre for International Human Rights.
During the webinar, Justice Mumbi will be interviewed by Rtd. Justice Ann Williams, formerly of the U.S. Circuit of Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
She was singled out for the award for her lifetime commitment to human rights, marginalized populations, diversity and equality.
The Jurist of the Year Award is an annual award that seeks to give recognition, acknowledgement and encourage to jurists for their consistent, fearless and impartial promotion of the rule of law and human rights.
Justice Mumbi is not only a long-time advocate for human rights in the country but also a co-founder of the Albinism Foundation of East Africa, an organisation set up in 2008 to promote the social acceptance of people with albinism.
People living with albinism face many challenges in Kenya and East Africa in general, including being killed for use in ritual practices, especially in Tanzania.
Justice Mumbi is also among a select number of judges known for their bravery on the bench.
Recently, the High Court judge in a precedent-setting ruling that has since been upheld, barred a governor from accessing his office amidst a corruption case.
In the case, Justice Mumbi concerned by the overgrowth of corruption levels despite the existing laws and institutions mandated to fight the vice, ruled that a judge, while not being ordered to step aside or be removed from office, should not be allowed to access his office until his or her integrity issues are resolved.
Writing in the Kabarak Journal of Law and Ethics, JV Owito defended Justice Mumbi’s decision as not only brave but also an opportunity to salvage the values of Chapter Six of the 2010 Constitution of Kenya.
“With the decision having been relied on in other cases, it is hoped that Chapter 6 of the Constitution shall fully resurrect and give a beacon of hope for the continued constitutional transformation of the democracy that is Kenya,” wrote Owiti in his publication titled, A Tale of Judicial Courage: Lady Justice Mumbi Ngugi’s Bravery that Gave Back Some Life to the Dying Edicts of Chapter 6 of the Constitution.
