NAIROBI, Kenya – Embakasi East MP Paul Ongili, popularly known as Babu Owino, was among 609 lawyers admitted to the Roll of Advocates on Thursday, marking a significant personal and professional milestone.
The admission ceremony was held at the Supreme Court of Kenya and presided over by Chief Justice Martha Koome.
In a message celebrating the occasion, the Judiciary congratulated the new advocates and their supporters.
“Welcome to the Bar, new advocates being sworn in today! Congratulations to your parents, guardians and teachers. Go forth and serve with excellence,” read a statement posted by the Judiciary.
WELCOME TO THE BAR new advocates being sworn in today! Congratulations to you, your parents, guardians and teachers. Go forth and serve with excellence. Identify your relative/friend and give them a shout out here and help us celebrate them!
Babu, who already holds multiple academic qualifications, described the day as a landmark in his life.
“Today marks a historic chapter in my journey—my admission to the Bar as an advocate of the High Court of Kenya,” he said.
The ODM legislator’s legal journey began after graduating with a first-class degree in Actuarial Science from the University of Nairobi.
He later pursued a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree at the same institution, eventually earning a Master’s in Law as well.
In total, Babu holds at least four degrees, each of which, he says, represents a member of his family.
Raised in a poor household where access to education was limited, he said his academic journey was inspired by a collective family decision to invest in him.
“We sat down as a family and agreed that at least one of us had to go to school,” he said in a past interview.
Babu explained that his Actuarial Science degree was dedicated to his mother, a Master’s in Architectural Science to his sister, an LLB to his brother, and the Master’s in Law for himself.
“I wanted to do a degree for everybody in that house. As we were growing up, we were told that education is the key to success, so I saw—why not have many keys to success?” he said.
Babu’s latest academic milestone comes as he continues to position himself as a vocal and ambitious player in Kenya’s political landscape, often combining his populist political persona with an emphasis on education and youth empowerment.
