Dr John Khaminwa is Kenya’s oldest actively practising lawyer a sharp-tongued, fearless Senior Counsel who, at 89 years old.
He was born 10 September 1936, still strides into courtrooms in his trademark dark suit and tie, cross-examining witnesses with the energy of a man half his age.
He represented widow Wambui Otieno; won at High Court (burial in Ngong), lost on appeal (body went to Nyalgunga, Siaya).
Also defended multi-party crusaders the late Raila Odinga, Kenneth Matiba, George Anyona, Koigi wa Wamwere, Timothy Njoya.
He was detained again for a few weeks in 1990 in connection with the famous Saba Saba rally which was to be held on 7th July to spearhead the debate on multi parties, a rally the Moi regime was against.
On Friday 2nd July 2021, he made headlines after urging the judges hearing the BBI appeal case to dismiss former president Uhuru Kenyatta’s case in what he called disrespect to judges and courts.
During the 2021 Kituo Annual Paralegals Awards (KAPA) organized by Kituo cha Sheria, Khaminwa was awarded as the volunteer advocate of the year.
In a statement on Sunday, September 26, Kituo Cha Sheria stated that the veteran lawyer was honoured for his resilience in seeking justice for many Kenyans who could not afford to pay legal fees.
At 89, he still appears in court daily, cross-examines witnesses, and argues constitutional points. In October 2025 he blamed case delays on underfunding of the Judiciary and urged more judges.
