As the debate into the controversial death of Appellate Court’s Justice James Odek hots up, it has emerged that the deceased’s lifetime achievements are nothing short of impressive.
According to his Curriculum Vitae, Justice Odek led a fulfilling law career, holding dozens of enviable positions since his entrance into the field in 1983.
He held a Doctor of Juridical Science (JSD) Degree from the University of Toronto, alongside a Master of Laws Degree (LLM) from Yale University. He graduated from the University of Nairobi with a Bachelor of Laws, First Class Honours in 1987.
Odek, who is reported to have been found dead inside his Kisumu home while naked alongside sex-enhancement drugs, started off his career as a tutor in Eldoret, moving up the ranks to become a secondary school headmaster, before being employed as an advocate, legal assistant, consultant, and research fellow in various firms in Nairobi.
He also worked as a lecturer, and at one point Dean, in institutions offering legal courses such as the University of Nairobi.
In the 22-page document, Justice Odek demonstrated his passion for intellectual property protection, working closely with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) up to the time of his demise.
He held six academic awards, including the scholarship for his Master’s course at Yale University, as well as Best First Year Law Student, at the University of Nairobi in 1985, amongst others.
Additionally, the judge had 37 publications, comprising journals, legal acts, and agreements to his name, as well as about 22 reports and papers presented during various conferences.
Odek introduced six academic programs into the University of Nairobi’s Faculty of Law, namely; Intellectual property, International Economic Law, East African community Law, International Investments, GATT/WTO Law, and Public Accounting and Procurement Law.
He consulted for 31 entities, including the European Union, the World Trade Organization, Parliament, and the Presidency.
In December 2018, Odek had been identified by the Director of Public Prosecutions as a key witness in a case against one Tom Ojienda, in the Ksh89 million Mumias Sugar fraudulent payment scandal.