The Jurist of the Year Award is an annual award that seeks to give recognition, acknowledgement 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 honour 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 ICJ 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, acknowledgement 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.