Dr. John Khaminwa, born on June 10, 1936, in the Umira Kager clan of the Luo community in rural western Kenya, is remembered as one of the country’s most distinguished lawyers and a fearless human rights activist.
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His early education took him through Masiyenze Primary School, Musingu Intermediate School, and Alliance High School. He later pursued law at the University of Dar es Salaam and obtained an external law degree from the University of London. Dr. Khaminwa went on to earn a Master of Laws in International Law from the prestigious New York University School of Law.
Throughout his career, he stood firmly on the side of justice, courageously representing opposition leaders such as Raila Odinga, Kenneth Matiba, and George Anyona during Kenya’s struggle against one-party rule under President Daniel arap Moi. His unwavering advocacy for multi-party democracy often placed him in direct conflict with the government, resulting in his detention between 1982 and 1983, and again briefly in 1990 during the historic Saba Saba rally.
Dr. Khaminwa’s legacy also includes his principled stand against the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), where he argued before the Court of Appeal to uphold the High Court’s decision declaring it unconstitutional—further cementing his lifelong commitment to constitutionalism and the rule of law.
Beyond the courtroom, he shared a remarkable 48-year marriage with the late Justice Joyce Nuku Khaminwa, who passed away in 2014 after a long illness. Together, they raised four children: Arthur, Albert, Anne, and Anjela. Albert, a respected lawyer and senior partner at Khaminwa & Khaminwa Advocates, sadly passed away in 2017. Arthur resides in Mombasa, Anne in the United States, and Anjela in Austria with her husband. The family is also blessed with three grandchildren.
Dr. John Khaminwa’s life was one of courage, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication to justice. His voice and vision shaped Kenya’s democratic journey, and his name will forever be etched in the nation’s legal and human rights history.
