Author: NLM Correspondent

US Vice President Kamala Harris found herself charting a unique historical path when she presided over Congress on Monday, January 6, when legislators certified Mr Donald Trump as president-elect. Mr Trump faced off with Ms Harris in the 2024 presidential election, winning both the popular as well as the electoral college votes. This was the second time in history that the same candidate had vied against a female candidate nominated by a major political party and winning against both. “The state of the vote for the president of the United States as delivered to the president of the Senate is…

What started as a straightforward invitation for Uganda opposition politician Kizza Besigye to attend a book launch in Nairobi took a turn for the worse when he was abducted from apartment building, transported under unclear circumstances to Uganda and locked up in a military prison. Dr Besigye, a longtime critic of Uganda president Yoweri Museveni, was in an upmarket suburb of Nairobi, Kenya, ready to attend the launch of Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua’s memoir when he was seized by people believed to be Uganda security agents. The incident, which came against the background of abductions of government critics in…

By Newton Arori You are in fact very unlikely the get off in a criminal case by saying that you were drunk when you did it, or intoxicated by any other substance for that matter. Even though Section 13 of the Penal Code provides for intoxication as a defence to a criminal charge, the defence is extremely narrow in its application.  For starters, to successfully plead intoxication as a defence, your intoxicated state must not be voluntarily induced; it should maliciously induced by another person. Second, you must be so intoxicated as to be insane, or to be unable to…

Environmental rule of law around the world is rapidly transforming due to technological innovation, the COVID-19 pandemic, public concerns over climate change and the rise of racial and social justice movements. A report published today by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) provides a series of recommendations to governments. The report, Environmental Rule of Law: Tracking Progress and Charting Future Directions, provides a comprehensive assessment of developments since the release of the first Global Report on Environmental Rule of Law in 2019. Through collecting and analysing data from a survey of 193 UN Member States regarding their laws, institutions, civic engagement,…

4 Law Firm Leaders Share Their Stories In 2015, Webber Wentzel’s Sally Hutton became the first woman lawyer in South Africa to be appointed as a managing partner. “There are now a few of us woman leaders in law firms operating in South Africa, including Lerisha Naidu, managing partner of the Johannesburg office of Baker McKenzie, Lee Mendelsohn, ENSAfrica’s chief operating officer, and Jean Meijer the managing partner of Herbert Smith’s Johannesburg office,” she said, adding that 45% of Webber Wentzel’s broader leadership team today are women. Juggling Leadership With Family Commitments Hutton started her legal career at Webber Wentzel in…

Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua has protested over the abduction of Uganda opposition leader Kizza Besigye, who had travelled from Kampala to Nairobi to attend the launch of her autobiography, Against The Tide. The book was launched on Sunday, November 17, and Dr Besigye was among those scheduled to speak at the event held at the Serena Hotel in Nairobi. However, he was abducted hours before the event kicked off. “This occurrence is deeply disturbing and of grave concern,” said Ms Karua in a statement she posted on X. According to Dr Besigye’s, Dr Winnie Byanyima, Dr Besigye was kidnapped…

The Government, through the State Department of Mining, has launched a major crackdown on illegal mining activities in Kilifi County and across other regions in a bid to curb revenue loss from unregulated operations. The operation, led by Principal Secretary for Mining, Elijah Mwangi, kicked off with impromptu visits to several mining sites in Ganze and Kilifi South sub-counties leading to the shutdown of several illegal mining activities. Speaking at Kazungu mining site in Kilifi the PS declared that the government will not tolerate unlawful mining operations that have been rampant in the country especially in Kilifi County. “We are…

The latest edition of Nairobi Law Monthly is out now, and it’s packed with insightful analysis and essential updates. Our cover story, “Raila’s Bumpy Road to Addis,” delves into former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s challenging quest to become the next Chairman of the African Union (AU) Commission. This edition explores the significant hurdles Odinga faces as his rival, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, secures a crucial endorsement from ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). This endorsement has intensified the competition and presents a formidable obstacle for Odinga’s campaign. To understand the intricacies of this high-stakes race and the implications for…

With the swearing-in of Dorcas Oduor as Kenya’s first woman Attorney-General, the movement for gender empowerment has scored a major victory, but it also exposes the intrigues that have turned the State Law Office into a revolving door since 2020. Will she sail where others have sunk? This August 2024 Special edition of The Nairobi Law Monthly dives deep into pivotal moments shaping Kenya and beyond, bringing you in-depth analysis, insightful reviews, and powerful stories that resonate with the heartbeat of our nation What’s Inside: Editorial: A critical look at the selection panel for Kenya’s new electoral commission—why this move…

The estate of Dickson Kihika Kimani, previously at the epicenter of a dispute between the late politician’s widows and his over 40 children, estimated at Sh 600 million, is now bankrupt. John Githui, a lawyer representing two of the eight widows of the late politician, said that the estate cannot raise funds for its valuation. The case was heard in the High Court in Nakuru on Wednesday, where Justice Samuel Mohochi informed the widows that an evaluation ordered in 2019 had yet to be done. “The estate is broke and cannot raise money for its valuation. A property in Nairobi…