Judy Thongori is a renowned lawyer who is passionate about family law and women’s rights. Her focus has been on improving women’s access to justice, economic empowerment and participation in governance.

It is this passion that led Thongori to sue the government for not fulfilling the inclusion of 30% rule for women representation in government, as required by the Constitution. She won the groundbreaking case.

Thongori has also served in many other capacities that have promoted women’s rights and family law.

She is the former chairperson of the Center for Rights, Education and Awareness, and the former deputy director and head of litigation at the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA Kenya).

She also championed the drafting and implementation of the Marriage Bill and organised training sessions to sensitise police on the rights of women, after noticing improper handling of abuse cases where men were sole breadwinners.

She started her career in law working at the office of the Attorney General and later moved on to a private law firm.

She then established her own law practice, Judy Thongori & Company Associates, where she serves as a lawyer, independent expert and consultant.

Thongori was the first woman lawyer in Kenya to be inducted into the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Roll of Honour