Kenyan lawyer and rights activist Judy Thongori is dead

Prominent Kenyan lawyer and women’s rights advocate Judy Thongori has died, her family has confirmed.

Thongori passed away on Tuesday evening after a brief illness.

According to the family, she suddenly fell seriously ill last week and was flown to India for treatment, where she succumbed.

A senior counsel with over three decades of experience in family law, Thongori was celebrated for her legal work championing gender equality.

She famously sued the Kenyan government for failing to implement the constitutional requirement of 30 per cent women’s representation in leadership.

In 2023, she was appointed to a presidential task force to review the religious sector following the discovery of more than 400 bodies in Shakahola Forest.

Thongori was a member of the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) and a close friend of Chief Justice Martha Koome.

Condolence messages

President William Ruto joined the legal fraternity and Kenyans in condoling Thongori’s family, eulogising her as a champion for justice.

“Her dedication to family law and human rights touched many lives and left a lasting impact on our society. Judy’s kindness, wisdom, and service will be deeply missed and remembered,” said Ruto. 

The Law Society of Kenya also mourned Thongori, describing her as a beacon of excellence with significant contributions to the legal profession.

“Her noteworthy contributions to family law and human rights are timeless and continue to propagate a learning curve for many in the profession. The legacy she leaves behind will remain an indelible mark of her impact that lives on among us,” wrote LSK President Faith Odhiambo.