Advocate Ndegwa Njiru is a household name in the Kenya’s legal field and one of the most sough-after lawyers especially in high- profile matters and impeachment cases.
He has participated in impeachment cases involving various government officials including former Meru County Governor Kawira Mwangaza, former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu, and Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, among others.
Born in Gichugu constituency, Kirinyaga County, Njiru attended Kerugoya Municipality School, Kianyaga High School and Kampala International University to study Bachelor’s of law before returning to Kenya to join the Kenya School of Law.
In a past interview, he revealed that the decision to venture into the legal feed followed a childhood experience when he accompanied his father to court hearings. Njiru, then a young boy, admired the lawyers’ arguments and aspired to be like them.
“As early as 1993, Mzee a teacher by profession used to take us to court and he was mentoring us without knowing it,” he said in a past interview.
He was admitted to the bar in 2011 and later founded Ndegwa and Ndegwa Advocates where he practises alongside his wife and his younger brother.
Njiru says he is passionate about impeachment cases because he wants to protect and strengthen devolution, which he calls the engine of growth.
He first gained widespread recognition in June 2020 during the Senate hearing of Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru’s impeachment by the county assembly.
How Danstan Omari went from deputy head-teacher to top lawyer in Kenya
At the time, he was representing the Members of County Assembly (MCAs) and went head-to-head with Waiguru’s husband, Kamotho Waiganjo, who was defending her in the case.
After the hearing, Njiru was praised for being eloquent and giving Waiguru’s witnesses a hard time during cross-examination over alleged abuse of office and procurement issues.
However, he did not win, as the Senate committee cleared Waiguru of all the allegations she was facing.
Five months later, Njiru represented Nairobi County MCAs in the impeachment of former Nairobi County Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko, who was impeached on December 17, 2020.
The advocate was also involved in the impeachment cases of former Embu Governor Martin Wambora and former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu, where he defended both. Waititu and Wambora were impeached but Njiru secured court orders to reinstate Wambora.
Njiru also represented Mohamed Abdi Mohamud, the Wajir governor who was impeached on May 17, 2021.He faced off against Senior Counsel Ahmednassir Abdulahi, who represented the Wajir County Assembly.
The advocate says he represents both governors and county assemblies and does not choose a particular side in impeachment cases.
“I am not motivated by where the public lies in any of the impeachment cases, but rather with where justice falls,” Njiru said in a past interview with the Star.
One of his notable achievements is petitioning the court alongside LSK council member George Omwanza to allow lawyers admitted to the bar to set up their own law firms.
Previously an advocate would not be allowed to set up his own practice until after two years. Apprenticeship in a law firm was required.
Njiru advised aspiring lawyers to follow their passion and not money, saying they will only survive if they have integrity.
“If you are driven by the money and a quick killing, you may not make it because in this profession money comes progressively,” he said.
