Rukhsar Munir’s speech at the SLS #ClassOf2018 Reunion on March 2, 2024, stood out as a highlight of the event. Sharing her post-graduation journey at Strathmore University, Rukhsar reflected on the profound impact the institution had on her growth and professional success.. Rukhsar further underscored the significance of resilience, mentorship, and mutual support, encouraging her fellow alumni to take pride in their achievements.

“Can you believe it’s been five years already? I’m back again, this time with a partner. It’s crazy how life quickly moves,” Rukhsar exclaimed, pointing proudly at her hubby as cheers erupted from the attendees.

“I am brimming with joy and excitement as a Strathmore alumna. Strathmore University and the law school have had a significant impact on my life. It’s been an interesting journey, and for those of you who know, the road has never been straight or easy for me. My relationship with Strathmore University and its faculty has improved so much over the last eleven years. When I started in 2013, I was green; when I left, I was golden; when I started, I was raw; when I left, I was refined. Strathmore University not only nurtured my character and made me a better human being but also greatly influenced my approach toward humility in the workplace. It instilled in me a commitment to excellence that sets me apart from my peers.

To shed some light on how this has progressed over the last so many years, I would like to give you a little run-through of my life. After graduating from law school, I made the natural progression to Kenya School of Law where I worked amongst some of the greatest minds on the continent, and this extended into my pupillage when I trained with high-profile legal practitioners today. Within days of my admission to the Bar, I made the brave, or foolish, decision to go back home, to Mombasa, and start my firm named R Munir and Company Advocates. It was extremely challenging, and more often than not, a lot of people have come up to me and asked me if I’m foolish. I’m not, because the firm is now successful and we have been in operation since 2021. Now, my reason for mentioning this is not to gloat but to acknowledge the amazing impact of some of the faculty members on my life. First of all, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the following individuals:

Douglas Gichuki: I will never forget the first time I walked into a Legal Systems and Methods class on a Wednesday afternoon and learned about the harrowing feat of the Speluncean Explorers and their ethical and moral dilemmas.
Dr. Peter Kwenjera: When I say I know God has got my back, one of the reasons I know that is this man right here. May God always bless him and the work of his hands.
Professor Luis Franceschi: Not just because of the fact that you were Dean of Strathmore Law School, but rather, I want to appreciate the way you have always challenged me to be better and aim higher.
Dr. Jennifer Gitahi: She has never been one to fumble with her words, and I had the privilege of witnessing her wonderful work ethic.
Mr. Humphrey Sipala: Another one for the books, this man made me question why I do everything in all the best ways possible.
My reason for mentioning these wonderful humans is just to highlight how their lessons in character development have enabled me to become a young, independent, flourishing advocate.

If it wasn’t for Strathmore University and the values that were instilled in me as being a part of the system, I don’t think I would be where I am today. Some people complain about the fashion cops, others complain about the strict rules and regulations, but I just want to say that all of these have made a difference and had an impact on the way in which I view the world.

In addition to running a successful practice, I am also the founder of Daily Events, a platform that I use to provide the general public with information about events happening in our country. It’s my way of giving back to society and to assist the next generation in keeping abreast with the problems and issues that we face in our country today. Last but not least, I am also the founder of the Pan African Podcaster, my new project launching on International Women’s Day 2024. Again, this is not because I want to plug you, but rather to give you guys a snippet of the amazing ways in which my education and the exposure that I received at the university has propelled me forward. It has given me the attitude that I need to approach the world with courage, it has given me the tools that I needed to maneuver every different life situation, and to approach it from a point of grace.

It gave me the courage to be fearless and take on the world knowing I have the ability to do it, and to do it well. The degree was not just a law degree but a comprehensive effort towards making me a better member of society. There are ways in which different people impacted the progression of my life from this faculty, and there are ways in which I contributed towards my situation in life through this faculty that I cannot even begin to list.

At this reunion, I just wanted to say that some of the relationships and sisterhoods that I formed while in this space are honestly going to last a lifetime. Here’s a shout-out to Patience Syekonyo, Natasha Teyie, Kavenya Sophie, Mildred Okello, Laura Kyalo, Fiona Githunguri, and Adam Raid. Thank you for all the wonderful nuggets of wisdom and varying degrees of appropriateness with which you loved me and encouraged me to continue to reach out for the goals that I set for myself. It’s important to note that none of these achievements happened in a vacuum. Obviously, I have my parents to thank for the immediate support and constant cheerleading. It has been an absolute pleasure and honor to be recognized as a member of this alumni community.

Lastly, I want to leave you with this: “An outlier is something that is situated away from or classed differently from a main or related body, it is also a statistical observation that is markedly different in value from the others of the sample.” This is what Strathmore University makes us. May we always be outliers. Thank you.”

Article written by: Rachel Wanjohi and Rukhsar Munir

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