Ruto, Kindiki mourn senior counsel Pheroze Nowrojee

President William Ruto has mourned the late renowned human rights lawyer and senior counsel Pheroze Nowrojee.

Ruto mourned Nowrojee as a decorated constitutional lawyer and veteran defender of human rights.

"Nowrojee was universally respected for his principled commitment to the advancement of democracy, protection of fundamental rights and freedoms and the promotion of Constitutionalism and the rule of law," the President said.

Ruto described him as a man who was universally admired for his unfailing graciousness, erudition and solidarity with the ordinary citizen.

"With his death, the nation has lost a brilliant legal mind who has made undeniable positive contributions to the development of our vibrant democracy and human rights culture," Ruto said.

On his part, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki described Nowrojee as a phenomenally brilliant lawyer and the chess master of the courts who dignified the respected rank of Senior Counsel without thrusting it upon people for recognition.

"Humble to a fault, the towering veteran of the courts was an intellectual who lived a simple life and interacted with respectfully with all, even the most junior members of the legal profession or the judiciary," Kindiki said.

"May his soul find peace, may his family be comforted during this painful time."

Chief Justice Martha Koome remembered Nowrojee as a mentor, an icon of the Kenyan Bar and a towering figure in the legal and constitutional history of the nation.

Koome said Nowrojee's brilliance, unwavering principles and lifelong dedication to the defence of human rights, the rule of law and the expansion of democratic space defined his career and inspired generations.

"He stood with courage during Kenya's darkest times, using the laws as a shield for the vulnerable and a sword against injustice. He believed deeply in the transformative potential of the Constitution and devoted his life to actualising its promise," CJ Koome.

Nowrojee passed away on Saturday morning in the US at the age of 84.

Pheroze was a stalwart of the legal and human rights movement in Kenya, including serving as the NCEC Convener and Spokesperson.

He has been described as a gentle giant and a defender of democracy, justice, and liberation.

He was, till his death, the Chair of the Asian African Heritage Trust which has played a very significant role in advancing Kenya's position and progress in diplomacy, peace, friendship and education worldwide.

His colleagues in the legal fraternity have mourned Nowrojee as a man who presented the best in court advocacy.

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) president Faith Odhiambo described Nowrojee as a man of irrefutable poise and honourable character, whose life exemplified duty to service and dedication to Justice.