By James Wakahiu
Young and aspiring lawyers have been told to learn to
exercise stress management techniques to cope with tensions in the profession
which is taking a heavy toll on the health of members of the profession.
Former Meru governor Kiraitu Murungi says while the
legal profession is critical for the advancement of any country, the men and
women who advance these courses should not allow themselves to be drowned in
work to the point of becoming case studies of how not to pursue a career
“Despite the many titles that you may get, remember
that you are human beings and whatever happens to other human beings also
happens to you. Many lawyers may be
wearing nice suits but inside they know they are just trying to survive. Things
are difficult; life has become frustrating,” he said.
He was speaking
at a Nairobi hotel where the Mount Kenya University (MKU) School of Law hosted
its first Alma Mater luncheon for former and current students.
Photo/Hon Lady Justice Hellen Omondi {left) with MKU parklands law campus Director Nelly Wamaitha joined by MKU pro- chancellor Dr. Vincent Gaitho {far left} and Hon. Kiraitu Murungi [right} during the luncheon of the MKU online master of laws programme{LLM}. The university also unveil The first Alma Mater organised by the MKU School of Law themed ‘Journey Beyond Alma Mater’. By James Wakahiu
The alumni has 700 members just a month after
formation. The event also saw the launch of the Online Master of Laws (LLM) Programme.
The former governor said lawyers play a crucial role
in solving problems, protecting individual rights, promoting social justice and
ensuring the smooth functioning of institutions of state. “Lawyers use law as
an instrument of transformation of society and they make a positive difference
in the lives of many people,” he said.
Kiraitu was among the Young Turks who fought
for the second liberalization of the country during the one-party rule of former
President Moi.
He
spoke on the theme, “Happiness and The Law: The Nexus”.
He gave a personal experience on how he came to the
realisation that in much of his life, he had pursued things that may have
brought him fortunes but did not augur well for his personal life and had left
him with the feeling of a vacuum.
After being diagnosed with Covid-19 in 2020,
for instance, while still recovering in hospital, he reflected on his past life
and noted that many things appeared meaningless including his achievements such
as rising to become a Cabinet Minister.
“We are obsessed with insatiable greed for money,
power and prestige. We usually dedicate ourselves to useless and irrelevant
pursuits and allow our lives to be stolen by others. You will never get enough
money, power and prestige,” he said.
“When I was sick, I reflected on my life and
discovered that politics had stolen my life. I had been running around to
please other people but not myself. I decided that if I recovered, I would
reclaim my life and would live a happier, more enjoyable and meaningful life. But
I did not,” he said.
During the 2022 general election, Kiraitu who served
as a minister in President Mwai Kibaki’s administration, sought re-election as
governor of Meru but lost to Kawira Mwangaza. Today he is a commissioner at the
Kenya Law Review Commission and the chairman of the National Oil Corporation
(NOCK).
Photo/Hon. Kiraitu Murungi
He told the lawyers and students that he has also been
trying to do other things that make him happy, including enrolling in a course
on psychology as well as practicing law. “Do something that you are passionate
about. If you do not find excitement in law, it does not matter, go do
something that you are passionate about and that makes you happy,” he
said.
“The four years that you have spent in college
should not tie your life to one of misery. Or in addition to law and something
else that you are passionate about. A lawyer’s life does not need to be
unhappy. We do not have to be stressed and hopeless. We do not have to live our
life without fun, joy, laughter, love and romance,” he added.
National Assembly Chief Whip, Silvanus Osoro, stressed
to the students and alumni the importance of networking in the profession.
“Always know your neighbour, who they are and what they do,” he said.
The South Mugirango MP, an alumni of MKU School of
Law, encouraged young lawyers to create networks among themselves as well as
the senior lawyers to be able to succeed in law, which is fast changing.
“Beyond our schooling, there are phases in life where you cannot move alone.
You have to network. Your strength as a lawyer is in networking. The practice of
law is changing,” he said.
Lady Justice Hellen Omondi, judge of the court of
appeal said women lawyers and judges led by the Association of Women Judges are
working on a structured mentorship programme for law students in all
universities offering law degrees.
MKU Vice-Chancellor Prof Deogratius Jaganyi said the
event offered MKU fraternity the opportunity to engage with its law graduates
after a long time as well as providing them a chance to interact. “It also
enables the alumni the opportunity to venture into existing higher academic
opportunities to advance their skills and knowledge on the legal discourse-back
to Alma Mater!”
.JPG)
In a speech read on his behalf by MKU deputy vice
chancellor (Administration, Planning and Institutional Advancement) Dr Peter
Kirira, the VC said the university continues to promote access to higher
education by establishing Campuses and Open, Distance and e-Learning (ODeL)
Centres in different parts of eastern Africa.
“MKU praises the multiple roles played by the alumni
in the society. Many of you hold key positions of major influence in society
and widening scope beyond the legal fraternity. We appreciate your efforts
towards the development of society, justifying the years spent by you at this
institution,” he added.
The VC said the college is committed to make a strong
contribution to supporting innovators and leverage on technology in the
development of legal knowledge.
“MKU takes cognizant that our young people must
be empowered with skills and resources geared to shifting their mindsets from
job seekers to job creators.
Our curriculum addresses the challenges that the
modern legal professional is facing through its practice-driven learning
approach,” he said.
He said MKU has invested significantly on distance and
electronic learning and offers several programmes being offered and examined
online.
“The distance and electronic
learning for Master of Laws we are launching today will be convenient to many
postgraduate students in the legal profession,” he added.
And speaking on behalf of MKU founder and chairman of
the board, MKU pro chancellor Dr Vincent Gaitho said it was the commitment of
students and lectures at the law institution which has encouraged the Board to
continue investing in it. He urged the former MKU students to hold hands with
the young students by acting as mentors.
The pro-chancellor urged the former MKU students to
mentor the young students. “You will only be at peace as a lawyer or any other
professional if you are a person of goodwill. In life, if we become curious, we
seek to provide solutions. If you do not wonder, you will not be creative. It
is only by being curious that you seek solutions,” he said
Welcoming the guests earlier, Dr Wilfred Mutubwa, dean
parklands law campus said the university’s Master of Laws is a very robust
programme. “It is market driven, incorporating invitations of judges,
magistrates and experience lawyers both in the courts and in the corporate
world as guest lectures for our students,” he said.
MKU’s Parklands Law Campus has been in existence for
less than 15 years but now has 1,000 degree students and 500 diploma students.
Law Society of Kenya President Eric Theuri said asked
the alumni to make the association strong. “Your networks are your net worth”.
The luncheon-themed ‘Journey Beyond Alma Mater’ was
attended by many practising lawyers including former MKU students as well as
dignitaries drawn from the government and private sector. Present were former Juja
MP and Kiambu Assembly Speaker, Bishop Stephen Ndichu, an MKU alumni currently
a magistrate and Mr Afubwa Musumi, Director, Career and Alumni Services at MKU
in charge of 120,000 MKU alumni.
www.themountainjournal.co.ke
