Editor's Review

One of the seven judges who'll be listening to the case is Justice Isaac Lenaola; a respected jurist considered to be one of the best legal minds in the country.


The Supreme Court of Kenya is back in the headlines thanks to a presidential election petition filed by Azimio la Umoja - One Kenya presidential candidate Raila Odinga. 

The court is expected to hear and issue a determination on the case within 14 days after it was filed. 

One of the seven judges who'll be listening to the case is Justice Isaac Lenaola; a respected jurist considered to be one of the best legal minds in the country.

But, who is Isaac Lenaola?

Early Life and Education

He was born in 1967 in Maralal, Samburu County. He is an alumnus of Alliance High School and The University of Nairobi where he studied and graduated with a Bachelor of Laws.

He was the first man from Samburu to study law at the University of Nairobi. His decision to pursue Law was inspired by former National Assembly Speaker Francis Ole Kaparo who was one of the leading lawyers in the country back then.

After graduating from the university, he joined the Kenya School of Law and was later admitted to the Bar as an Advocate of the High Court in 1991.


File image of Supreme Court Judge Isaac Lenaola. [Photo: Courtesy]

Career

Rimui and Mubia Advocates was Justice Lenaola's first employer, where he served as an associate.

As a young advocate, he got an opportunity to serve in various commissions that including; the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission, and as a member of the Committee of Experts he was integral in the formulation of the 2010 Constitution

His journey to being a Supreme Court judge commenced in 2003 when he was appointed a High Court judge. He served in various stations namely; Kakamega, Meru, Embu, and Machakos.

While serving as a High Court Judge, he got an opportunity to represent his colleagues in the Kenya Magistrates and Judges Association (KMJA) and the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

In October 2016, he was appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court; a position he holds to date. The appointment made him the first Samburu man to be a member of the apex court.

While he is known for delivering various key rulings, he is remembered for being part of the majority bench that overturned the August 2017 presidential election.