Arwings Kodhek, born in 1923 and raised in Nyawara Sub-Location in Central Gem Location, Siaya County made history in 1956 as the first ever Kenyan to be admitted to the Bar as an advocate.
Becoming a lawyer was however not easier for Kodhek being an African, considered illiterates who could only take social sciences courses.
In 1947, Kodhek landed a scholarship to pursue a social science course at the University of Southern Wales and Monmouthshire to which Kodhek accepted.
Just after one year of study, Kodhek decided to pursue a degree in law a move that was ultimately blocked by the government, but with the intervention of the University, he was allowed to pursue law.
In 1949, he graduated from the law school but was forced to complete the social science course he had started by the government.
Upon his returned to Kenya, Kodhek was, however ‘magnanimously’ offered a job at the Attorney General’s office but denied a salary commensurate with his academic qualifications.
Kodhek was later offered a third of what white men with his qualifications were taking home, a move which disappointed him thus quitting the position to become human rights lawyer with the private law firm of Chanan and Singh.
Kodhek later established his own practice at Church House and soon was a household name among the Africans as a strong defender of the Mau Mau freedom fighters.
Kodhek later joined politics and in 1956, founded Nairobi District African Congress.
In 1961 and 1963, when Africans were allowed into elective politics, Kodhek won a seat in the Legislative Council (Legco).
He was later elected as an MP for Gem on a Kanu ticket.
He perished in a mysterious road accident in 1969 on a stretch of road in Nairobi today known as Arwings Kodhek Road.
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