Njoki Ndung’u, now Hon. Lady Justice, has been known as a woman who fights for what she believes in. She has never shied away to defend women’s rights. Her resilience has seen her push for the protection of men, women and children against sexual violence. She fought tooth and nail to ensure that the Sexual Offences Bill was passed as law.
Supreme Court Judge Lady Justice Njoki Ndung’u’s fight to push the Sexual Offences Bill to its enactment, while serving as a nominated member of Parliament, is one of her proudest accomplishments, and one that cemented her place in history as a crusader for human rights.
That the Bill became law, despite some opposition from male MPs, is testament to her skills in negotiation and her capability to marshal support across party and gender lines. Besides being Kenya’s first female Supreme Court judge, she is among the youngest Supreme Court judges in the world.
Words of Wisdom
· “Those who inspire are those who pursue what is right. Personalities like Olive Mugenda and Wangari Maathai did not fear to pursue what is right and just.”
· “As women, we should stand up for ourselves. We should be bold and refuse to be taken advantage of.”
· “Most people judge women from the neck down yet it should be from the neck up. As women, we should rely on our brain power.”
· “Lack of encouragement has affected the position of women in our society. We need to embrace affirmative action in public appointments.”
While the Sexual Offences Act 2006 is one the former legislator’s proudest accomplishments, Njoki’s children take pride of place in her life. She confesses that one of the greatest challenges she has ever faced was cutting short her maternity leave just after giving birth to her second child, so that she could sit on the Supreme Court bench that deliberated on the 2013 presidential election petition. “I was exhausted, but it was an experience that was worth it. I consider being mother to two young children and a judge of the Supreme Court of Kenya quite a challenge.” This is quite a confession for a woman who is known never to shy away from a good fight.
Growing up, Ndung’u aspired to be a nurse or a teacher. At least the conversations she had with her father pointed in that direction. However, she finished high school and joined the University of Nairobi to pursue a bachelor’s degree in law.
She graduated and was employed as a state counsel. This was a learning experience for Ndung’u, who prosecuted many criminal cases, getting acquainted with government systems and the technicalities surrounding law enforcement.
She later joined the University of Leicester in England to pursue a Master of Laws degree in Human Rights. “I’ve always been drawn towards human rights. I have great empathy for women’s rights,” she says. “I did not agree with how women were treated when I was young; that women should only be seen and not heard.”