UoN Alumni shine in the realms of power

The University of Nairobi alumni continue to put the University of on the world map. They have brought great glory to the institution. They have set the example and taught the nation valuable lessons of honesty, hard work, and determination and have established themselves as successful individuals in almost every field of their lives.

Speakers for both houses of Parliament that is the Senate and the National Assembly started their law career at the University of Nairobi

Hon.Moses Wetangula

Immediate former Senator for Bungoma County Moses Wetangula was elected speaker of the National Assembly on Thursday, September 8 2022. Wetangula overcame competition from Kenneth Marende to win the hotly contested seat. Wetangula now becomes the eighth Speaker of the National Assembly.

During his acceptance speech, Wetangula revealed that Justin Muturi, his immediate predecessor was his classmate and roommate at the University of Nairobi. He adds that they have been personal friends for years as they both studied law at UoN and debuted in parliament together in the 7^th parliament “Most people do not know that Justin Muturi is not only my predecessor but he was also my roommate at the University of Nairobi. He was my schoolmate in law school at the same institution,” Wetangula said

Wetangula was admitted to the University of Nairobi, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree in October 1981. His love for law was nurtured when he was at Friends School Kamusinga ‘‘I was so confident I would become a lawyer, so much so that when I was picking my three degree courses,’’, ‘‘I put law as my first, second and third choice.’’ Wetangula said. He made the cut for the Faculty of law, University of Nairobi where he was  alongside members of the infamous class of 1981 which included Speaker Justin Muturi, Justice Mohammed Ibrahim of the Supreme Court, Justice Fatuma Sichale and Jessie Lessit of Court of Appeal.

He started his political career in 1992 and has held several positions including; Member of Parliament for Sirisia Constituency, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister for Trade, Senator for Bungoma County and leader for Minority for the Senate.

His election as National Assembly Speaker makes him the third most-powerful leader in Kenya after the President and the Deputy President. This is based on the order of precedence concerning the hierarchy of leadership in Kenya. His roles will be to preside over debates in the House, the spokesperson of the House. As a presiding officer, the speaker ensures the orderly flow of business and that the House observes parliamentary rules and traditions, both written and unwritten.

Hon. Amason Kingi

Amason Kingi was elected Speaker of the Senate on Thursday, September 8, after garnering 46 out 67 votes. Kingi becomes the youngest speaker at 48 years. Previous Senate speakers were Kenneth Lusaka and Ekwe David Ethuro. He received his undergraduate degree in Law from the University of Nairobi in 1998.  Prior to joining active politics, he was in private practice in Mombasa.  He was elected the first Governor of Kilifi County in 2013. Hon Kingi had also served in other capacities as Minister for Fisheries Development, Minister for East African community, and served as the Member of Parliament for Magarini from 2003-2013.

Hon. Gladys Boss Shollei

Gladys Boss Shollei is the newly elected Deputy Speaker and woman representative for Uasin Gishu County. Shollei is a renowned advocate with nearly 20 years of experience, and a certified public secretary (CPS).

She holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Nairobi, a Diploma in Law from Kenya School of Law and a master's degree from the University of Cape Town

Prior to joining politics, she worked as a lecturer at the University of Nairobi and as Kenya's Deputy Chief Election Officer before becoming chief registrar of the judiciary of Kenya.

In 2018, Shollei tabled a bill before the house aimed at replacing county woman representative positions with new constituencies. This according to her increase the number of women parliament. However, the bill failed to go through.

She was part of the legal team that represented President Elect William Ruto during the 2022 presidential election petition.

Hon. Irungu Kangata

If there is a person who deserves an honorable mention as a true ‘son’ of UoN, it is none other than Irungu Kangata, Governor Muranga County. He is a true representation of the University of Nairobi. Hon. Kangata joined The University of Nairobi Parklands Campus in 1999 to undertake a degree in Law and graduated in 2005. He was elected vice-Chair of Kenya Law Student Society while still a freshman and later elected as vice-chairman of SONU the same year.

He would later return and earned a Master of Laws (LL.M), and in 2020, during the 64^th graduation he graduated with a PhD (Law). Hon. Kangata expressed thanks to his supervisors and the support he was given through his academic journey. He wrote in his tweeter handle; "Much thanks to those that have walked with me towards the journey of achieving PhD. Dr. Scholastica Omondi, Dr. Duncan Ojwang, Dr. Lois Musikali (my supervisors). Dean, Faculty of law -thank you. "Education is the key for betterment in these modern times"

In the 11th parliament, Hon. Kangata was awarded Mzalendo Trust- People’s Shujaaz Award for championing Education related legislation in parliament. This is after his higher Education amendment bill was signed into law by the president. In 2015, he was awarded for best management of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and for investing heavily in domestic water projects.