Kenya’s legal community mourns death of family law pioneer Judy Thongori

Kenya’s legal community is mourning the death of Senior Counsel Judy Thongori, a pioneer in family law.

Thongori, who had recently fallen ill, was flown to India for treatment, where she passed away due to complications.

Her death was confirmed on Tuesday morning by Dr Fred Ojiambo, the chairperson of the Senior Counsel Bar (SCB), who described her as a passionate and compassionate advocate.

“Judy was the country’s foremost authority in family law,” Ojiambo said in a statement.

“She was recognised for her invaluable contributions, particularly by being placed on the Law Society of Kenya’s (LSK) Roll of Honour. Her selflessness, willingness to mentor, and dedication to justice will be greatly missed,” he said.

Thongori, 59, was the founder of Judy Thongori & Company Advocates, a law firm specialising in family law matters such as matrimonial disputes, children’s issues, and succession cases. Established in 2003, the firm gained a reputation for its legal expertise and commitment to fairness.

Throughout her career, Thongori earned respect not just as a practitioner, but also as a mentor to younger legal professionals.

She was pivotal in shaping the legal landscape in Kenya, particularly in family law.

Thongori was a trained family mediator, accredited by the Judiciary’s Mediation Accreditation Committee, and contributed to establishing the Family Division of the High Court of Kenya.

Her efforts also played a significant role in the drafting of both the Matrimonial Property Act and the Marriage Act, which continue to influence the country’s legal practices.

The Law Society of Kenya also paid tribute to Thongori, with LSK President Faith Odhiambo remembering her as “a monument of legal prowess”.

“Her contributions to family law and human rights will leave a lasting impact on the profession. We offer our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues,” Odhiambo said.

Thongori was conferred the rank of Senior Counsel in 2020, becoming one of the few women to attain such a prestigious title in Kenya. She was the first woman inducted into the LSK Roll of Honour in 2013.

Her commitment to justice extended beyond the courtroom as she provided legal advice and awareness both locally and internationally.

Her influence was further recognised through her involvement in key national initiatives.

She was a member of the Chief Justice’s committee that helped establish the Family Division of the High Court and served on the Bar-Bench committee.

She was also appointed by President William Ruto in 2023 to a committee addressing radical religious groups.

After graduating from the University of Nairobi’s Law School, she began her career at the Attorney General’s office before joining Lee Muthoga and Associates, where she found her calling in family law.

She attended Kahuhia Girls High School for her O-levels and The Kenya High School for A-levels.

She was among 21 women selected to attend a 2015 conference at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.