Karua hails Nowrojee’s legacy of justice and compassion
People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua has paid a glowing tribute to the late Pheroze Nowrojee, describing him as a true patriot and champion for justice.
Karua spoke during a memorial service held in honour of the Senior Counsel at the Museum of Kenya auditorium on Thursday, July 10, 2025. The event brought together legal minds, family, friends, and former colleagues of the late Nowrojee to celebrate his extraordinary life and legacy.
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“Today we are celebrating the extraordinary life of the late Pheroze Nowrojee SC, a dear friend, a father, a teacher, a mentor and an excellent legal mind,” Karua said in a statement shared via her X account.
She described him as a fierce defender of the rule of law, human rights, democracy, and social justice.
“He was many things to many people. He touched many lives among people of diverse backgrounds, and he impacted many in Kenya and across the continents,” she said.
Karua also took a moment to thank Nowrojee’s family for sharing him with the country.
“To his dear wife Villoo, his children Binaifer, Sia and Elchi, we thank you for sharing Pheroze with us, for your compassion and generosity, for adopting us as your extended family,” she said.
“I am encouraged that the great qualities of Pheroze, among them integrity, compassion, patriotism, selflessness, and resilience, are embedded in you all. Pheroze lives through you all. His words and deeds will live forever,” Karua added.
Nowrojee’s death
Nowrojee, who died on April 5, 2025, at the age of 84, had a legal career that spanned decades. He was admitted to the bar in Kenya, Tanzania, and Zanzibar and served as Chairman of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) in 1968.
He is remembered for his strong stand for constitutionalism and human rights, especially during Kenya’s darkest political days in the 1980s and 1990s, when many voices were silenced under oppressive regimes.
In more recent years, Nowrojee was part of the legal team, alongside James Orengo, that represented Azimio leader Raila Odinga in the 2022 presidential election petition.
Beyond his legal work, Nowrojee was also a celebrated author and poet. He wrote several books, including Pio Gama Pinto: Patriot for Social Justice (2007), Practising an Honourable Profession, A Vote for Kenya: The Elections and the Constitution (2013), A Kenyan Journey (2014), and Conserving the Intangible (2015).
