The Western Jurists Forum (WJF), a distinguished socio-economic welfare organization founded by legal practitioners from Kenya’s Western region, recently convened its lavish end-of-year dinner and dance at a Nairobi hotel. The event served as a major gathering for the nation’s legal community, bringing together over 800 professionals, including Judges, Magistrates, public and private sector in-house counsels, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the Law Society of Kenya, and private practice advocates. The WJF’s foundational mission is dedicated to the welfare of its members and the prosperity of the region.
A Call for Unity and Moral Leadership
The high-profile event was graced by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi as the Chief Guest, alongside former Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Sports and the Arts, Ababu Namwamba, who delivered the keynote address. Namwamba took the opportunity to commend the forum’s leaders for successfully uniting such a large number of legal professionals.
In their addresses, both leaders emphasized the paramount importance of unity and shared purpose within the community. Mudavadi powerfully reinforced the message of togetherness, stating that “we are one people” and stressing the need for members to truly understand and commit to the group’s mission. Namwamba urged the jurists to refuse to be distracted, stay focused on their mission, and commit to “flying the mission on the highway where they are supposed to be.” He acknowledged the potential for logistical and coordinating challenges, such as the note about organizing a difficult group run, but stressed the commitment to overcome them and remain united. The speeches served as a reinforcement of the message of moral leadership and strengthening institutions within the legal fraternity.
Honoring Excellence and Legacy
A key highlight of the evening was the renaming of the Inderma Fellowship, which has now been designated the Justice Majanja WJF Fellowship in honor of the late Justice Majanja, acknowledging his significant contributions to the legal field and upholding the principles of constitutional integrity and human rights jurisprudence. Furthermore, Professor Julia Ojiambo received the prestigious Ewasulwe Award for her long-standing and impactful work.
The WJF also recognized outstanding commitment and talent among its members and the wider community. Laureen Magotsi was awarded the Spotlight Award for Service, a testament to her dedication, while celebrities Edi Butita and Jackie Vickie won the Ningi Ningi Award. In a significant move to bolster the socio-economic welfare of its members, the WJF also disbursed Seed Capital to Western Jurists.
The evening concluded with repeated expressions of appreciation, cementing the forum’s role as a premier organization committed to the excellence, integrity, and collective prosperity of its members and the wider region.
The speech by Musalia Mudavadi during one of the Western Jurists Forum events also touches on the organization’s role in community upliftment.
