Long before he stepped into the halls of Strathmore Law School, Andy already knew what he wanted his life’s work to be.

Having navigated life with a mobility challenge, Andy had spent years experiencing and observing the barriers that many persons with disabilities continue to face. Those experiences inspired him to study law so he could strengthen his understanding of justice and become a more effective advocate for a community to which he proudly belongs.

“I’ve wanted to pursue law since high school,” he says. “My dream is to one day represent persons with disabilities in the Senate or the National Assembly.”

Choosing Excellence

“I knew I wanted to be the best lawyer, and that meant going to the best law school,” he says, reflecting on why he chose Strathmore Law School.

He had closely followed the school’s achievements, particularly its success in international moot court competitions, and was drawn to its reputation for academic excellence. Convinced that excellence is cultivated by learning from the best, he made SLS his first choice.

“I had done my research before joining Strathmore,” he recalls. “It had a strong academic reputation, and I knew I had big shoes to fill. I always compete with myself, and I wanted to become the best person I could be.”

Discovering the Human Side of Law

While law school equipped him with a strong understanding of statutes, case law, and legal principles, it was during his judicial attachment and work-based learning that Andy truly discovered what practising law means.

Through placements at law firms, the Judiciary, and now Khaminwa & Khaminwa Advocates, he came to appreciate that every file represents something much bigger than legal documents.

“I realised that law is more than statutes and case law,” he explains. “Every file represents a family, someone’s property, or someone’s life.”

Andy says this realisation fundamentally changed how he approaches the profession.

His current experience under the mentorship of renowned advocate Dr. John Khaminwa has reinforced another lesson that continues to shape his legal journey.

“As my mentor, Dr. Khaminwa, likes to put it, ‘The centre of law is in practice.'”

Today, Andy has developed an interest in conveyancing, constitutional law, and human rights. To him, these fields are closely interconnected.

“If someone is unlawfully evicted from their land, it is not just a property issue. This is also a constitutional issue because the right to property is protected under Article 40 of the Constitution.”

Lessons Beyond the Classroom

Among the greatest lessons Andy has learned is the importance of preparation.

“No matter how prepared you think you are, something small can completely change the direction of a case,” he says. “Sometimes a client leaves out information because they think it isn’t important, only for it to become the most critical detail.”

It is a reminder that behind every legal matter are real people whose lives and livelihoods depend on careful legal representation.

A Passion for Disability Rights

Perhaps no experience has influenced Andy’s aspirations more than studying disability rights alongside his own lived experiences.

While he acknowledges that Kenya has progressive laws protecting persons with disabilities, he believes implementation remains the country’s greatest challenge.

The 2025 Strathmore University Academic Visit to The Hague, Netherlands, became a turning point in Andy’s journey.

There, he witnessed accessibility measures that had been fully integrated into everyday life, from airports offering comprehensive assistance to personalised healthcare systems designed to meet the needs of persons with disabilities.

Comparing those experiences with Kenya made him reflect on the gap between legislation and implementation.

“We have good laws,” he says. “The challenge is implementing them.”

Although he recognises that implementation often takes time and financial resources, he believes change begins with individuals who are willing to act.

“I would like to help fill that implementation gap.”

He also acknowledges the progress already made by disability representatives in Kenya while emphasising that there is still much more to be done.

Beyond his legal work, Andy conducts civic education in schools for learners with disabilities, including Joytown Primary and Secondary Schools, helping students understand their constitutional rights and the protections available to them under Kenyan law.

Embracing the Future of Law

Andy is equally excited about the role technology will play in the legal profession.

Having recently completed a Generative AI programme, he believes artificial intelligence is transforming legal research, documentation, and administrative work.

However, he is quick to point out that AI should never replace the ethical judgment and reasoning that define great lawyers.

“AI should be an assistant, not a replacement,” he says. “The best lawyers will be those who know how to combine technology with sound legal reasoning.”

A Journey of Growth

“Law school taught me resilience,” he says.

He also treasures the relationships he built along the way and expresses heartfelt gratitude to members of the Strathmore Law School community, including School Manager Wesley Ooro, Finance Administrator Anna Mokeli, and many others whose encouragement and personalised support made a lasting impact on his university experience.

As he begins his legal career, Andy hopes to make justice more accessible for everyone while championing fairness, integrity, and the protection of rights, particularly for persons with disabilities. He advises law students to be curious, stay disciplined, and never be afraid to ask questions.

“Take advantage of every opportunity within and beyond Strathmore because that’s where you learn and build meaningful networks,” he says.

And if his journey so far is anything to go by, Andy’s legal career will be defined by a commitment to ensuring that the law delivers justice in people’s everyday lives. For him, the true value of the law lies in its ability to protect rights, promote inclusion, and create lasting change.

Article written by Evans Ijakaa