NAIROBI, Kenya- A road renaming ceremony is expected to take place on Monday in honour of the late Senior Counsel Pheroze Nowrojee, in recognition of his contribution to constitutional law, human rights, and legal advocacy in Kenya.
The initiative follows earlier proposals by Nairobi County lawmakers to rename a city road after Nowrojee, who passed away in April 2025 at the age of 84.
A motion presented in the Nairobi County Assembly by Nairobi South MCA Waithera Chege was previously approved, paving the way for formal recognition through street naming procedures.
The proposal was backed by residents’ groups and legal stakeholders, who described Nowrojee as a leading figure in Kenya’s legal and democratic development.
Nowrojee, a Senior Counsel and constitutional scholar, was widely respected for his work in landmark constitutional and human rights cases in Kenya and the region.
The planned ceremony is expected to formally unveil the renamed road.
Who was Senior Counsel Pheroze Nowrojee?
Senior Counsel Pheroze Nowrojee was one of Kenya’s most respected constitutional lawyers, human rights defenders, and legal scholars, widely regarded as a towering figure in East Africa’s legal history.
Born in 1941 in Nairobi, Nowrojee came from a family with deep historical roots in Kenya, tracing back to his grandfather who arrived in East Africa during the construction of the Uganda Railway in 1896.
He pursued his early education in India and the United Kingdom, and later earned a Master of Laws (LLM) from Yale University in the United States, combining global legal training with local practice.
Nowrojee was admitted to the Bar in Kenya in 1965 and went on to practise law across Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Uganda, and the Seychelles, specialising in constitutional, human rights, and political law.
Legal career and impact
Over several decades, he became known for representing political detainees, activists, journalists, and opposition figures, particularly during periods of political repression in Kenya.
He played a prominent role in landmark constitutional and human rights cases across East Africa and was widely described as a defender of constitutionalism, democracy, and the rule of law.
He also contributed to Kenya’s constitutional development, including advocacy work during major reform periods that shaped the 2010 Constitution.
Nowrojee was also:
- A lecturer and mentor at institutions including the University of Nairobi and the University of Dar es Salaam
- An author, writing on law, history, and politics
- A poet and public intellectual, known for blending legal thought with literature
- A key figure in legal and civil society organisations promoting human rights
He was widely described by peers as a “lawyer’s lawyer”, respected for his intellect, humility, and principled approach to justice.
He died in April 2025 at the age of 84, leaving behind a legacy that continues to influence Kenya’s legal and democratic institutions.
