They say commitment is the key that unlocks the door to success. Allan Achesa Maleche has not only taken the key that unlocked his success but through his commitment has opened other doors that have earned him global recognition and a spot on #KeExcellence.
Allan was born at MP Shah Hospital on 6th January 1983 and grew up in South C. He was a high-spirited student at Westlands Primary School from his formative years in Class One to his final days as a KCPE candidate in Eight. Thereafter, he travelled west to Musingu Boys High School in Kakamega county for his secondary education. Through his pubescent years Allan discovered his passions and began to prepare himself for life in campus. He was certain of one thing – his career path would be built on a foundation of physiotherapy and psychology. But as we’ve come to realise, sometimes fate has other plans.
When Allan received his KCSE results, he had excelled, perhaps more than he expected. He got the call-up to the University of Nairobi to study Law. His parents were thrilled and encouraged him to dive into the world of legal practitioners.
Allan hesitantly joined the Parklands Campus but kept a positive mind-set through school. Towards the end of his freshman year, The University of Seattle had formed a partnership with UoN on a research project aimed at the prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission. Allan joined the project as a data entry clerk, ready to get his head out of the lecture halls and into the reality of health. He gained valuable insight through interactions with participants and uncovered the connection between his long-time ambition of Healthcare and his path into Human Rights. This gave Allan the validation he needed to continue with Law and intertwine it with his love for Healthcare.
The remaining three years went by fast and it was finally time to get his feet firmly in Law. His first job was as an intern at Rachier and Amollo Advocates. Here, an opportunity to gather Psychology experience while still practicing Law presented itself. Allan not only listened to people’s problems and offered solutions but also learnt to be empathetic towards clients.
Five years in the firm meant transition from an intern to an employee and his commitment opened more doors. One notably challenging task Allan was assigned at the firm was to revive a company that had been started in 1994 but had since been inactive. Allan boldly took on the challenge and revitalized Kenya Ethical & Legal Issues Network (KELIN) – an NGO determined to successfully litigate for the rights of people living with HIV and Tuberculosis in Kenya in 2010.
He mastered the art of pitching to donors to fund the company’s pro-bono work and worked with community members to identify those most vulnerable and in need of Human Rights lawyers in Nairobi, Kisumu and Homa Bay.
It’s been an active eight years since KELIN took shape through Allan Maleche’s leadership. Together with his able team, he has managed to emerge victorious in several notable Human Rights cases in Kenya.
In 2018, at the 22nd International AIDS Conference in the Netherlands, Allan Maleche was honoured with the Elizabeth Taylor Human Rights Award – an award that recognizes the efforts of individuals who have achieved major breakthroughs in their efforts to advocate for Human Rights for people with HIV.
From South C to Kenya to a global stage, we thank Allan Maleche for his hard work and undying commitment to his comrades.
