Another successful week comes to an end with the young legal brains making yet another great step in their quest for legal excellence. Unlike previous lessons, this one was a great shift from the classroom-based approach traditionally used for conferment of legal information on the country’s future leaders. Prof. Githu Muigai, a man whose star-studded reputation precedes him, graced our Legal systems and methods on the 18^th of August 2021. Our great respect for the former Attorney General of this nation forbids us from committing the great injustice that would be limiting the numerous activities he’s undertaken in bettering the country’s the legal side of things to mere words.

When asked, “how did you get here?”, as so often prompted by legal freshmen, the good professor attributed his success to passion. He termed this as the inextinguishable fire in his belly that burns eternally. Armed with great zeal, Prof. Muigai believes, no task will appear taxing. Prof. Muigai, who holds a Bachelor of Laws and PhD from the University of Nairobi and a Master of Laws from the Columbia University to state but a few of his academic qualifications, acknowledged the importance of proper understanding in a particular area in crafting a holistically bred lawyer.

Legal Excellence

Furthermore, Prof. Muigai viewed lawyers as having a great responsibility in not only shaping the nation’s policies but also those of the world using not only transformative but inclusive policymaking. He challenged us to approach everything from that very moment open-mindedly. He challenged us not to limit our thoughts locally in matters of career choices but to go take advantage of international opportunities.

In addition, he stressed the role of morality in a lawyer’s life. He termed it as a compass necessary on the legal journey without which one loses ethical bearing. Prof. Muigai then proceeded stating the existence of moments when his moral obligation was put to the test. Indeed, morality trumped his personal predilections on all those instances.

Of bar exams

With clarity of one’s goals and objectives, the good professor submitted that one would not engage in side shows. He drew reference to what he termed as a poorly run Law Society of Kenya (LSK) where personal quests for political supremacy have embattled the honourable institution. Clarity aids preparation, especially in the Bar examinations where he defended the marking process of the Kenya School of Law. He believes the marking process is a highly professional affair and with proper preparation, one will be sure to pass and thereafter admission to the bar.

With that, Prof. Muigai concluded his presentation truly leaving us better than he found us. Our sincerest gratitude goes out to our lecturer Mr. Allan Mukuki for adopting this interactive approach on learning, Strathmore University and more particularly Strathmore Law School for the opportunities of interacting with the legal minds that have shaped the nation’s legal landscape for decades on end.

It was very interesting learning from those who’ve been there and done that. We am sure the first-year class will be one to watch with the main takeaway being passion! Passion! passion!

This article was written by Peter Muli, Kangai Njue, Georgina Okello and David Mwenda, Bachelor of Laws first year students. 

What’s your story? We’d like to hear it. Contact us via communications@strathmore.edu