- Justice Muchelule has urged law students to embrace integrity and reject corruption as they prepare to join the legal profession.
- He has encouraged students to prioritise Alternative Dispute Resolution and respect Kenya’s cultural diversity in their future legal practice.
- Vice Chancellor Prof Nathan Ogechi has called on students to maintain exemplary conduct, saying their discipline now will shape public trust in the Judiciary in the future.
Kisii University and other university students have been asked to uphold ethics by avoiding corruption as they practice law, and to embrace respect and harmonious cultural diversity.
Court of Appeal Judge Justice Aggrey Muchelule was speaking at Kisii University on Friday when he was hosted by the School of Law to address judiciary matters.
Justice Muchelule, who once served as the Presiding Judge of Kisii High Court, told students that the future of the Judiciary depends on young lawyers who are honest and incorruptible. “When you join the profession, whether as advocates, magistrates or judges, let integrity be your brand. Kenyans are tired of corruption in corridors of justice. Say no to it from campus,” Muchelule said.
He also challenged students to respect Kenya’s diverse cultures. Drawing from his own experience, having married in a colourful traditional Luhya-Kalenjin ceremony in November last year that brought together leaders from across the country, he said the law must be used to unite, not divide, communities. “Harmony in cultural diversity is our strength. As lawyers, you will serve clients from all tribes. Learn to respect their cultures,” he added.
The Judge further urged students to take Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) seriously, noting that most disputes in the Kisii region, especially land and family matters, can be solved through mediation rather than long court battles.
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He spoke about judicial independence, recalling his own tribulations in 2021 when his promotion to the Court of Appeal was delayed, and how the Judiciary under Chief Justice Martha Koome stood firm.
Students and lecturers from Kisii University School of Law, members of the LSK Kisii Chapter and local judicial officers attended the lecture.
University Vice Chancellor Prof Nathan Ogechi thanked Justice Muchelule, who is also the current Principal Judge of the COMESA Court of Justice, for mentoring young lawyers. Prof Ogechi encouraged law students to be exemplary at the university, noting that they are the face of the institution and future custodians of justice. He said as role models, they must show discipline, hard work and respect for the rule of law both inside and outside class.
“The way you carry yourselves now determines how society will trust you tomorrow. If you cheat in exams today, you will take bribes on the bench tomorrow. Be exemplary so that Kisii University produces lawyers who clean the Judiciary, not those who pollute it,” Prof Ogechi said.
He added that exemplary conduct will also help maintain the university’s growing reputation as a centre of legal training accredited by the Council of Legal Education, and attract more partnerships with the Judiciary and Law Society of Kenya.
By Enock Okong’o
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