Embakasi East MP Babu Owino was among the 609 lawyers admitted to the Bar as Advocates of the High Court on Friday.
Presiding over the event, Chief Justice Martha Koome asked the new members of the Bar to be guided by the principles of courage, integrity and service to the people.
“The black robe you wear is not a symbol of status but a symbol of trust. As new advocates, consider how you will use your voices and skills to bring justice closer to the people. There will be pressure to compromise, to look the other way, to stay silent but I urge you to be bold. Speak up for the voiceless, stand firm for what is right. That is what Kenya needs and that is what the robe demands,” said CJ Koome.
She emphasised the vital role that lawyers play in strengthening democracy, protecting rights and ensuring access to justice for all Kenyans.
The Chief Justice also acknowledged the changing dynamics of law, including the growing importance of digital platforms and the need for innovation in legal practice.
“Lawyers play a vital role in strengthening democracy, protecting rights and ensuring access to justice for all Kenyans. As the legal landscape evolves, we must embrace innovation and recognise the growing influence of digital platforms in legal practice,” said CJ Koome.
The Deputy Chief Registrar of the Judiciary, Paul Ndemo, congratulated and encouraged the new advocates, providing insights into the professional expectations that come with the title.
“There can be no better balancing of power and ensuring this constitution that we so proudly hold comes to life than by having we as advocates championing and defending what we believe in. We all have a responsibility, to uphold the rule of law and to defend the justice,” said Mr Ndemo.
Mr Owino cited the inequality and harassment that he had witnessed while growing up in the Nyalenda slums in Kisumu as his main motivation for pursuing a law degree and eventually completing the Kenya School of Law course in order to be admitted as an advocate of the High Court.
He recounted how many residents, including his own mother, were unaware of their rights and had fallen victim to injustice on multiple occasions.
“Growing up in the slums of Nyalenda, I noticed with deep concern the constant harassment and humiliation of ordinary Kenyans in the brutal hands of law enforcement agencies, most of the time without a clue of what their constitutional rights were,” Mr Owino told journalists.
Official websites, including Parliament's, list the MP as having a Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science, a Master's in Actuarial Science and a Bachelor of Laws.
Mr Owino said that he would represent Kenyans, especially in opposing policies that threaten their livelihoods.
"The government should brace itself for more lethal arguments in defence of Kenyans— both in Parliament and in court. Expect legal action aimed at lowering the cost of living, creating jobs, and holding systems accountable," he said.
