The run-up to Kenya’s independence was a difficult period in our history, but the attainment of it was an exhilarating window into new possibility. For young Raychelle Omamo, Jamhuri birthed a spark in her eager mind. Queries and concerns about the law of her country found her at the beginning of a journey to construct and contribute to a more just Kenya.
Raychelle put in the hard work and after high school at Loreto Convent Msongari she earned her admission to the University of Kent at Canterbury in the UK where she studied the law. Eager to jump into practice with her newly acquired knowledge she opened her own law firm Omamo & Omamo Advocates at the age of 23. Her passion grew as she practiced her chosen field through contributing to several new initiatives including being a founding council member of the Kenyan Chapter of the Federation of Women Lawyers – FIDA in the early nineties. FIDA’s work is dedicated to accelerating rights for women in Kenya and it does so fearlessly.
The experience must have made Raychelle aware of an as yet unconquered area in her field. The Law Society of Kenya is the country’s premier bar association. Any lawyer who wants to practise in Kenya must be a member of the esteemed body. Since its establishment by an Act of Parliament in 1949 the LSK has only had one female chairman in its entire history – Raychelle Awuor Omamo, who was elected in 2001.
Raychelle has contributed to the advancement of the rule of law, the fair administration of justice and the protection of human rights in Kenya and in Africa and was awarded Jurist of the Year in 2002. She went on to serve as an Ambassador for Kenya to France and in 2014 was appointed the first female Cabinet Secretary for Defence.
Raychelle’s achievement in a profession that boasts over 13,000 members, almost half of whom are women, reminds us that many barriers still need to be broken as we normalize women’s leadership. We celebrate Raychelle Omamo’s numerous achievements, her passion to serve and her contributions to the law in Kenya.