Jurist of the Year Awards

The Jurist of the Year Award is an annual award that seeks to give recognition, acknowledgment and encouragement to jurists who have consistently, fearlessly and impartially promoted the rule of law and human rights in Kenya during the year. The award has been given out on the 10th December each year since 1993 to commemorate and honor the United Nations International Human Rights Day. As an advocacy tool to motivate jurists who engage in human rights work, the Jurist of the Year Award has no equal in the country.

Since 1993, the Kenyan Section of the International Commission of Jurists has bestowed The I.C.J. Jurist of the Year (JOY) Award to individuals who have consistently, fearlessly and impartially promoted human rights, the rule of law and democracy in Kenya during the year. The award seeks to give recognition, acknowledgment and encouragement to these individuals. The Award has traditionally been presented on December 10th in commemoration of the United Nations International Human Rights Day. The JOY Award has become an important fixture on the Human Rights Calendar of events in Kenya. It provides an opportunity for human rights defenders and actors to reflect on the gains in promoting human rights during the year and to chart the way forward for the future. There is also an opportunity to network and mingle in a less formal setting.

The recipients of the award are selected using criteria set out in the Society By-laws, to ensure objectivity and transparency.

The 2011 Jurist of the Year: Justice Daniel Musinga

As part of achieving its mandate, every year ICJ Kenya confers the Jurist of the Year Award to a jurist who, in the opinion of the organization, has shown exemplary commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights, democracy and the rule of law. The Jurist of the year Award was established by ICJ Kenya in 1993 and is given out on or about the 10th December of every year. Since its inception, 18 jurists have been honoured with this prestigious award . The ceremony to confer the Jurist of the Year coincides with the United Nations International Human Rights Day, which commemorates the signing of the Universal declaration of Human Rights. 2011 marked the 63rd anniversary.

According to the ICJ Kenya, the Jurist of the year should be honourable, distinguished and should be able to motivate others to champion human rights, the rule of law and democratic governance. He or she should have consistently, in the course of their work, demonstrated exceptional courage and determination in upholding the rule of law, human rights and democratic ideals even at the risk of punishment, deprivation, loss of personal liberty or life and should be a person of unquestionable integrity, honesty and a leading example in society.

The 2011 Jurist Award was conferred to Justice Daniel Musinga at a colourful dinner hosted by ICJ Kenya at its premises in Kileleshwa. Present at the award ceremony included Judge Philip Waki, a past recipient of the award, Prof. Christian Roschman, country director, Konrad Adenuer Foundation , Mr. Glenn Warren, US Embassy and Judge Lee Muthoga, ICTR Judge amongst other distinguished guests.