NAIROBI, Kenya — President William Ruto has posthumously awarded the late senior lawyer and human rights advocate Pheroze Nowrojee the Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear (EBS), recognising his pivotal role in advancing democracy, human rights, and the historic 2017 Presidential Election Petition.
The award was conferred during Kenya’s Jamhuri Day celebrations on December 12, 2025, acknowledging Nowrojee’s enduring contribution to law, literature, and public service. Nowrojee, who passed away in April 2025 at the age of 84, was widely celebrated for his principled legal career and commitment to justice.
Amnesty International Kenya Chapter Executive Director Houghton Irungu lauded the award, noting that Nowrojee “consistently and fearlessly acted for justice and constitutionalism” without seeking recognition. “Honouring him with the Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear reminds us that principled courage in the public interest will always be recognised,” Irungu said.
Nowrojee’s legal career spanned decades, blending courtroom advocacy with public education. He gained national attention during the live proceedings of the 2017 Presidential Election Petition, where he served as one of the lead counsels for the petitioners.
His 40-minute submission was credited with effectively dismantling the respondents’ arguments and consolidating the case, contributing to the Supreme Court’s historic ruling to nullify a presidential election—an unprecedented decision in Africa.
Reflecting on the victory, Nowrojee had remarked, “It had taken us 25 years to achieve this overturning of the constant practice of rigging by those in power… We had set the precedent that compliance with the constitution’s provisions binds all governance and all public activity in Kenya.”
Beyond high-profile election cases, Nowrojee championed press freedom, most notably in the 1990 Nairobi Law Monthly case. Representing the banned magazine founded by Gitobu Imanyara, Nowrojee successfully challenged the Moi government’s censorship, resulting in the High Court lifting the ban.
Nowrojee’s contributions were not limited to the courtroom. Through opinion pieces in national dailies, he simplified complex legal concepts for the public and mentored generations of lawyers. Known for offering pro bono services, he prioritized justice over profit or grandstanding.
Earlier this year, Nairobi South Ward Representative Chege Waithera moved a motion at the Nairobi County Assembly to name a road after Nowrojee, describing him as a patriot committed to the Constitution, rule of law, human rights, and good governance.
A distinguished scholar, Nowrojee was called to the Bar at Lincoln’s Inn in 1965 and admitted as an advocate in Kenya in 1967. He later enrolled as an advocate in Tanzania in 1970 and in Zanzibar in 1989.
His education included Catholic Parochial Primary School in Nairobi, Billimorja High School in India, Bombay University, the University of Dar es Salaam, and Yale Law School in the United States.
The posthumous EBS award cements Nowrojee’s legacy as one of Kenya’s foremost defenders of constitutionalism, human rights, and justice.
