Nancy Baraza reflects on Raila’s support after losing job as Deputy Chief Justice

Former Deputy Chief Justice Nancy Baraza has opened up about the personal support she received from the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga during one of the most challenging periods of her life.

Baraza, who lost her position as Deputy Chief Justice in 2012, described feeling isolated and uncertain about her future.

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“I remember one time I lost my job in 2012. Then I went to teaching; I was quiet, and nobody knew where I was,” Baraza recalled in an emotional reflection during a podcast on Wednesday, October 29, 2025.

She explained that the sudden loss of her high-profile position left her struggling to find direction, both professionally and personally.

Despite the difficulties, Baraza explained that she continued to persevere quietly, focusing on teaching and trying to regain her footing.

She said the period was lonely and emotionally taxing, with few people reaching out to offer support or guidance.

Baraza revealed that in 2018, Odinga, who had long been a mentor and guide to her, sought her out. “He looked for me. He sought me out, and we met at Serena,” she said. “And he hugged me, and he told me, ‘Nancy, it doesn’t matter in which corner you find yourself. Never drown. Never sink. Make sure you pull yourself up and you chart a new path.’”

The former Deputy Chief Justice said the encounter was deeply moving. “It touched me. You know, somebody will kill you. I mean, you’ve been treated so badly by almost everybody. And there he was, looking for me,” Baraza recalled.

She described Odinga’s gesture not only as a personal act of kindness but also as a reminder of the importance of resilience and self-belief during times of adversity.

Nancy Baraza, who was Kenya’s first female Deputy Chief Justice, lost her position in 2011 following a controversial incident at Nairobi’s Village Market Mall.

She was accused of pinching the nose of a security guard and uttering the now infamous words, “You should know people…,” with the guard claiming Baraza had also threatened to shoot the guard.

A seven-member tribunal investigated the matter and recommended her removal from office. Baraza admitted there had been a confrontation but denied threatening the guard with a gun. Following the tribunal’s decision, she resigned and withdrew from public life for several years.

Despite the setback, she has made a comeback and is currently serving as the chairperson of the Technical Working Group on Gender-Based Violence (GBV), a position she was appointed to by President Ruto.