Senior Counsel Dr John Khaminwa, now in his late eighties, has spent more than five decades fighting for justice in courtrooms across the country – yet he has never owned a smartphone.
Born in 1936, Dr Khaminwa’s journey into law began with an education spanning three continents.
He acquired an external law degree from the University of London, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in law from the University of Dar es Salaam and later earned a master’s degree in international law from New York University.
This formidable educational foundation launched a career that would see him become one of Kenya’s most fearless advocates.
He began practising law in 1973, and alongside his late wife, Justice Joyce Khaminwa, established Khaminwa and Khaminwa Advocates.
Over the past 51 years, he has represented an extraordinary roster of clients including the late leader Raila Odinga, the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko and even Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.
He successfully challenged the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) at the Supreme Court and fought for the rights of deported lawyer Miguna Miguna.
Beyond his high-profile clients, Khaminwa has taken on more than 1,000 pro bono cases, representing those who cannot afford legal fees.
His chambers in Nairobi reflect a man deeply rooted in tradition – complete with an earthen pot boiling over a fireplace and walls adorned with portraits of legal giants who have inspired him.
Despite his professional demands and public profile, Dr Khaminwa has never owned a smartphone.
He uses only a basic feature phone, and his reasons reveal as much about Kenya’s turbulent political history as they do about his personal character.
Speaking to the Daily Nation, he explained that his reluctance stems from dark experiences during President Daniel Moi’s regime.
