Advocates Africa gets new leaders

Kimathi Kamencu, a Kenyan advocate, is the new president of Advocates Africa, a network of Christian lawyers’ associations linking 43 African countries including Uganda. 

Kamencu has vast experience in corporate reorganisations, telecommunications and financial services law. 

He was announced at the 15th Advocates Africa Biennial Convocation hosted by the Uganda Christian Lawyers’ Fraternity (UCLF) at the Resort Beach Hotel, Entebbe July 30, 2023.
 
Safari Gahizi from Rwanda will deputize Kamencu. The secretary general is Ethiopia’s Mesfin Ethsunamo and Pako Thato Moakofhi from Botswana is assistant secretary general.

Members include; Komi Devotsu from Togo and Eno Akpan from Nigeria. Ghana’s Kezia Kenneth is treasurer and UCLF president Anne Muhairwe was named coordinator for the East Africa region.

The organization’s senate consists of Uganda’s Justice Mike Chibita, Prof. Bankole Sodipo and Sunny Akanni from Nigeria and Teresa Conradie from South Africa.

Meanwhile, Akanni, the outgoing president announced the new leaders.

He says that Advocates Africa’s leadership rotates between the different regions including; East Africa, South Africa, West Africa and North Africa.
Akanni from West Africa handed over to Kamencu from East Africa. When his two years’ tenure expires in 2025, they will elect a president from a different region.

He adds that during his tenure, which was extended to four years due to COVID-19 challenges, he pushed for the organization’s agenda. 

This includes advocating for good governance, peace, religious freedoms and respect for human rights. He also united the associations and promoted networking among the members in different countries, which made work easier.

For example, he helped many lawyers to have their work done in Nigeria without travelling there from their home countries.

In her remarks, Muhairwe thanked God for enabling her to serve at an international level.

“I will coordinate East Africa and unite Christian lawyers to achieve the aims and objectives of the organization,” she says.

Kamencu pledged to use his new office to advance the values of Christ through adjudication and promoting the rule of law.

“In Africa, lawyers are strategically placed in the Judiciary, executive and legislature. We should be able to shine Christ’s light in everything we do,” he says.

Meanwhile, the four-day convocation was under the theme; positioning the Christian lawyer for a volatile and ambiguous world.

It attracted over 500 law students, pastors and key influencers in the legal fraternity in Uganda, Kenya, Botswana, Rwanda and South Africa. Others came from Australia, United States, United Kingdom, Nigeria, Ghana, South Sudan,  Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia.