Dr. Edris N.Omondi (advocate)edrisattorney@ywcg.org
The year was 2004.
I asked Titus, his long-term legal clerk, to arrange a meeting for me.
At the entrance, Titus informed me, “Mkubwa yuko,” which meant that the boss was in.
That was at his Ralph Bunche Road residence, which also doubled up as his practice office.
I presumed everyone referred to him as “Mkubwa,” thinking it was a local colloquialism.
But when I addressed him so, he laughed heartily and corrected me.
He said, “The attitude of ‘mkubwa’ is manipulative, wrong before God and unjust to the progress of humanity.
Someday, you will understand.
“He then asked, “What is your name?” I answered, “Edris Omondi, I am a lawyer with the Centre for Governance and Development.”
He continued, “Where did you acquire your law degree?” I replied, “From Karnatak University, India.”
He smiled and said, “That’s a good university.
I acquired mine from Bombay University.“
We began discussing the legal discourse from Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, the father of the Indian Constitution, to Mahatma Gandhi and his ideals.
In this interaction, he reminded me not just to be a lawyer, but one as profound as a legal servant.
A legal servant, yes- much like Mahatma Gandhi, standing with the community I serve.
He concluded by emphasizing the importance of social justice — such was the impactful legal influence he left in my life; it was his ideals and belief more than his courtroom practice.
“I Did Not Join Jaramogi, We Met in the Struggle!”
Among many interactions I had with him, this two-day meeting at a city hotel in 2006, will crown it all.
Pheroze tagged me along.
The meeting was unique in every way.
Among the well-known social reformers present and speakers was himself, the late Dr. Apollo Njonjo, Hon. James Orengo (now the current Governor of Siaya), Hon. Gitobu Imanyara, the late comrade Onyango Oloo (a Marxist ideologist), and many other social reformers of that time.
The focus of this retreat and discussions therein was how to chart a future amidst political tension.
Little did we know that the subject was to prophetic, with the 2007 post-election violence erupting the following year, and that the meeting would change the course of my political mindset.
I remember Honorable Orengo being our first speaker, drawing lessons from his past, recalling an invitation he received from one Mr. Osie Kunze to speak at a conference in Harare, Zimbabwe, on the subject “Dark of Ideology.”
The paper was widely publicized by the Zimbabwean press, having addressed the discourses of the time.
Pheroze, with his characteristic agility, astuteness, smile and humility, then took the center stage.
His presentation was powerful and thought-provoking.
He raised the issue of class disparity, asking why so many of us were attracted to politics!
The majority of us, as indeed captured in his presentation, are driven by greed, often at the expense of the needy.
He pointed out that wealth should not be the driving force for entering politics.
Pheroze highlighted that Kenya was ranked 56th globally for inequality, with one of the widest gaps in wealth distribution.
His interest as a social thinker was on how we Kenyans could live together, free from tribal animosity, and united for national development.
He insisted that our problems should be carefully analyzed and diagnosed, and policies should be based on thorough research, not trial and error.
He lamented that Kenya had lost the ideal of issue-based politics that existed between 1963 and 1980, which had been built on mutual trust.
Pheroze argued that this loss of political trust had been detrimental to the country, as it led to political upheavals, criminalization of public interest advocates, political assassinations, and victimization.
Yet, he firmly believed that the ideals of social justice and fairness would outlast these setbacks, and it was important to bring these ideas back into the mainstream of Kenyan politics.
The Call for Political EducationPheroze’s words left an indelible mark on my mind.
He argued that politics should be about polity and quality, not about horse trading, positions, or the media coverage surrounding individual politicians.
According to him, the real focus of politics should always be the welfare of the people, not the accumulation of power and wealth for the few.
He emphasized the need for political homework, public sensitization, and sound political education.
He believed that the center of political focus should always be the Kenyan people and their livelihoods, rather than the interests of political elites.
A man of all seasonAre we going to the funeral to bury comrade Mwaviso? I asked Pheroze, and indeed, that weekend he was available.
Hon Orengo offered to ferry us to Taita from Nairobi.
We had to bury Mwaviso, Hon. Mwandawiro Muganga’s brother, in Werhuga.
Accompanying us was the late Nganga Thiong’o Gupta.
This was a social thinker’s ride.
A ride to congratulate him on his latest accolade on human rights and contribution to social justice.
It felt like the Mahatma Gandhi train ride of 1890, which transformed his legal career into a social justice advocate.
This man was made of a different material.
Indeed, whether in a public platform, in his books like the Duka walla, or the comfort of his car or house, he preached social justice.
Go Thee WellComrade, you will be deeply missed by all of us in the fraternity of social thinkers.
You have inspired and mentored many of us.
Indeed this fraternity that included your long term friend; Hon James Orengo, Philomena Njenga, Ann Ruth Achieng, Maina Njue, Cidi Otieno, John Kipchirchir Birgen, Hon. Mwandawiro Mganga, Hon. Gitobu Imanyara, Cyprian Nyamu, Ochieng Kairalla, Chome Mwairo, Samuel Mose, Waithera Chege, Khamis Juma, Anjawalla Kharim, Joseph Bonzo, Tom Okore, Regina Oyaro, and many others who walked with you through the social reform journey.
Go thee well, dear comrade and friend.
Your work and ideals on human rights, social justice, and equality will live forever in the hearts of all who knew you.
A Victoria EciertaMay your legacy continue to inspire future generations of lawyers, social reformers, and all those who fight for justice and equality.
Your belief in a better Kenya will live on through the work we continue to do, in memory of your unwavering commitment to the ideals of a just society.
Pass our regards to Comrade Onyango Oloo- inform him reform agenda is still at the heart of our discussions- to Dr Apollo Njonjo let him know that bread has never been shared equally- to Thiong’o Nganga Gupta, tell him our university graduands are now referred to as ‘sanguenyas’ and to Roc Ajulu, inform him, the lagoon of our social thinkers is up for grabs for a price.
We will still stand on the platform of social justice and reforms.
None was like you. Your resolute work shall be absolute.
Comrade Pheroze Nowrojee, you have left an indelible mark on our lives.
Rest in peace.
(Dr. Edris Omondi is a Preacher, Social Thinker, Lawyer, Mentor, Writer, Author and a Public Motivational Speaker.
