Prof Smokin Wanjala; many of his students could not link him to the unanimous judgement on the presidential election petition by the Supreme Court.
By: Morris Kimuli
[wpsocialite]
Dr Smokin Wanjala obtained his PhD from the University of Ghent in Belgium. Before then, he had been to the University of Columbia in the US, at the same time with the current Attorney-General Prof. Githu Muigai.
Most of Githu Muigai’s students will remember that Muigai always told fond stories regarding the academic and professional abilities of Smokin Wanjala. And we did not require this telling. Dr Wanjala was a very apt teacher. He taught land law, international law, International Humanitarian Law with great depth and insight.
I always looked forward to his lessons at Parklands Campus. Those who have reasoned with him will tell you that the man is a suave professional with a keen eye for detail. His remarkable sense of humour completes the picture of a man who can go deep enough with the most sophisticated, yet remain even with the simple. For his academic exploits abroad, he came back with a distinction.
Prof Wanjala has written books, booklets and articles which are published in a wide cross-section of platforms. It is no wonder then that this man beat competition to win an appointment to the Supreme Court of Kenya.
None of those who have known Smokin could begrudge the choice. He walked tall into the Supreme Court and it was my hope, and perhaps that of many who knew him, that it was yet another opportunity for him to show case the mettle he was made of.
During the hearing of the Presidential petition, he was a firm judge, admonishing even Ahmed Nassir and showing that litigation at the Supreme Court was no stuff for children. I really really wanted to read him in the Judgement. However, I have read through the Judgement of the Supreme Court and I cannot see the Towering Smokin!