About Me
Charles Kanjama SC is a distinguished advocate with long experience across litigation, corporate governance, ADR, legal education and public policy. He serves as Managing Partner at Muma & Kanjama Advocates and has held senior leadership roles in the Law Society of Kenya, Nairobi Legal Awards and related institutions. He is an arbitrator (Fellow, CIArb), accredited mediator and certified public secretary.
Character & Competence
My professional character, grounded in the 5 I’s, ensures transparent and effective leadership
Competence | Description |
Professionalism | Broad practice experience in dispute resolution, commercial work, litigation, and specialized certification (CPA, CPS, Arbitrator). |
Leadership | Proven track record managing professional bodies (LSK Nairobi Branch, LSK Caucus, KCPF, NTSA Board). |
Vision | Championed effective digitization efforts and set up liaison committees for efficiency in conveyancing and commercial transactions (BRS). |
Persistence | I do not easily give up in the pursuit of the truth, the good, and the just. |
Courage | The readiness to overcome obstacles in pursuit of the arduous good, essential for defending the Rule of Law. |
Character (5 I’s) | Description |
Integrity | Principled. I don’t take or give bribes, or engage in any corrupt practice |
Independence | Non-partisan, objective, and free from capture by cartels or special interest groups. |
Initiative | Leading from the front, innovating, and adapting to changing situations. |
Intensity | Continued dedication and commitment to delivering results. |
Inclusiveness | Working with others and engaging various stakeholders (“LSK Yetu Sote”) |
Track Record (Summary)
EARLY IMPACT ON KENYAN LAW
Shaping Legal Practice since 2001
- Pioneered digital law reporting in East Africa (2001–2003)
- Helped revive East Africa Law Reports after a 10-year gap
- Set national standards for case reporting & case-noting
- Edited landmark law reports and digests
- Introduced regular “Hot From the Benchˮ case reviews to lawyers
CHAMPION OF SUBSTANTIVE JUSTICE
From Technicalities to Justice
- Called out over-reliance on legal technicalities in courts
- Advocated consistency in statutory power of sale cases
- Influenced return to substantive jurisprudence
- Contributed to thinking behind overriding objectives in litigation
- Legal commentary helped shape judicial reform conversations
LAW REFORM LEADER 2010-2014
Turning Lawyer Voices into Law
- Chaired LSK Constitutional Implementation & Law Reform Committee
- Reviewed dozens of Parliamentary Bills for LSK
- Led LSK positions on family & business laws
- Presented LSK reform proposals at local & regional conferences
- Engaged CIC during constitutional implementation
- Institutionalised structured feedback from lawyers to Parliament
STEWARD OF MEMBERS’ MONEY 2012-2014
Financial Discipline, Not Excuses
- Introduced Break-Even Principle for LSK activities
- Improved transparency in LSK financial reporting
- Pushed for reduction of unnecessary Council expenses
- Pushed to increase annual branch grants from KSh 300K to 1 Million and creation of Devolution Fund.
- Championed feasibility planning for LSK property development
BUILDER OF STRONG BRANCHES 2016-2020
Devolution That Actually Works
- Founding Chair, LSK Nairobi Branch
- Built branch structures from the ground up
- Established functional secretariats & staff systems
- Introduced branch charters & performance frameworks
- Strengthened chapters (Thika & Kiambu) with funding & autonomy
- Established & chaired the Caucus of Branch Chairs
DEFENDER OF LAWYERS & THE PUBLIC
Standing Firm When It Mattered Most
- Led Purple Ribbon Campaign for Willie Kimani
- Led Yellow Ribbon Campaign during Miguna Miguna crisis
- Organized marches & legal interventions
- Filed public interest litigation on access to justice
- Took principled stand on judicial accountability despite personal and professional cost
INVESTING IN LAWYERS’ FUTURE
Skills, Innovation & Mentorship
- Founded Nairobi Legal Awards
- Championed Legal Tech Week & ICT upskilling
- 20 years+ mentoring young lawyers and law students
- Pushed training in mediation, tax, conveyancing, trial advocacy & law firm management
- Advocated better terms of service for young lawyers
Secured first ever digital elections for LSK Nairobi Branch, in partnership with ICPAK digital platform
EVERYDAY PRACTICE, REAL SOLUTIONS
Fixing What Lawyers Deal With Daily
- Revived Bar-Bench Committees across courts
- Improved lawyer engagement with eCitizen & registries
- Pushed reforms in Companies, Lands & Judiciary digitisation
- Championed increased in the number of judges & magistrates
- Through Bar Bench committee engagement, delays & registry inefficiencies were tackled.
The Track of Favourable Judgments And Rulings
No. | Case Number and Parties | Summary and Significance | Role/Contribution in the matter |
1. | Election Petition No. 1 of 2017; Joseph Oyugi Magwanga & another v Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission & 3 others [2018] eKLR | This is a Petition challenging the electoral process through which the 3rd Respondent was declared as Governor elect Homabay County. Hon. Justice J.R Karanja allowed the Petition. | Acted for the Petitioners in the matter |
2. | Election Petition No. 1 of 2017; Philip Kyalo Kituti Kaloki v I E B C & 2 others [2018] eKLR | This matter primarily examined whether the tally of votes in the election of the Member of National Assembly Kibwezi East Constituency was manipulated or consisted of such malpractices and irregularities that would substantially affect the integrity of the said results. | Acted for the 3rd Respondent in the matter |
3. | Eric Gitari & 7 others v Attorney General; DKM & 9 others (Interested Parties); Katiba Institute & another (Amicus Curiae) | The matter crystallized issues as to whether sections 162 (a) and (c) and 165 of the Penal Code are unconstitutional on grounds of vagueness and uncertainty. and whether the impugned provisions are unconstitutional for violating Articles 27, 28, 29, 31, 32 and 43 of the Constitution. | Acted for the 7th Interested Party in the matter |
4. | Gladys Muthoni Mwangi & 20 others v Barclays Bank Of Kenya Limited & another [2016] eKLR | This is a matter that distilled the questions of redundancy and following due process in termination of employees under redundancy. | Acted for the Petitioners in the matter |
5. | Eunice Nganga & another v Law Society of Kenya & another [2019] eKLR | This was a matter discussed whether sections 22(1) (b) and (c) and 23 of the Advocates Act and section 7 of the Law Society of Kenya Act, violate the Constitution for making it mandatory that an advocate must be a member of the Law Society of Kenya and on the issue of practising certificates | Acted for Law Society of Kenya. the 1st Respondent in the matter |
6. | Rift Valley Machinery Services Limited v Agro Complex (K) Limited & 11 others; Agro Complex Kenya Limited & 2 others (Third Parties) [2020] eKLR | This was a matter determining the lawful proprietor of a parcel of land and whether compensation arises in the event that the suit property is successfully challenged. | Acted for the 1 st to 3rd Defendants in the matter |
7. | Jared Odoyo Okello v Fredrick Otieno Outa & 3 others [2017] eKLR | This was a matter seeking upholding of the election the 3rd Respondent as the validly elected Member of Parliament for Nyando Constituency. The matter broadly discussed the scope of a validly conducted electoral process | Acted for the 3rd Respondent in the matter |
8. | Judicial Service Commission v Kalpana H. Rawal & 2 others | This matter discussed conclusively the issue of judicial retirement age, issues of conflict of interest of judges and recusal. | Acted for Judicial Service Commission in the matter |
9. | Centre for Human Rights & Democracy & 2 others v Judges & Magistrates Vetting Board & 11 others [2014] eKLR | This matter discussed mainly whether the High Court’s general jurisdiction is subject to limitation and whether the High Court has supervisory jurisdiction over the Judges and Magistrates Vetting Board. | Acted for the Judges and Magistrates Vetting Board |
10. | Anthony Muthumbu Wachira v Kenya Airports Authority [2020] eKLR | This was a matter in which the Court discussed extensively primary/guiding principles on procedural fairness in dismissing an employee. | Acted for the Claimant in the matter |
Wakati umefika. LSK ya wote
We strongly believe that following the Rule of Law is the highest priority