NAIROBI – The Kenyan Section of the International Commission of Jurists, ICJ Kenya, is honored to present this year’s Jurist of the Year Award to Mrs. Jedidah Wakonyo Waruhiu.
ICJ Kenya holds Jedidah with pride, joy, and dignity and, most of all, with an appreciation for her commitment to advancement of the rule of law, and human rights in Kenya.
Jedidah was admitted to the University of Nairobi to study law, where she later became the Secretary-General of the Kenya Law Students Society (KLSS). It was while a student leader that her flame and passion for defending human rights became evident. She fearlessly defended fellow students against unlawful harassment and detention by the police over various issues, including protests.
ICJ Kenya recognises Jedidah’s extensive experience and concern for the vulnerable and the marginalised manifested at the Kenya National Commission of Human Rights where she was a Commissioner, especially those in conflict with the law or needing care and protection. She took the lead in advancing the rights of violent extremism victims and persons in penal institutions.
Nationally, Jedidah is recognised in the advancement of penal, policing, and judicial reforms, focusing on legal aid, refugees, paralegal approach, and intersex. She was recently appointed as the Chairperson of the Intersex Persons Implementation Committee (IPICC) under the Attorney General’s Office.
Regionally, our Jurist is known for her work in access to justice in prisons within the East African Community (EAC and Great Lakes), having been a member of the National Human Rights Institutions and Policing Working Groups. She assisted and prepared intersex persons in their dialogue with the African Human Rights Commission and has had various speaking engagements in workshops.
Find HERE the 2020 Jurist of the Year Citation.
In case of any queries kindly contact Moses Okinyi on +254726989713 or moses.okinyi@icj-kenya.org
