Evans Monari was neither the richest lawyer, nor the most famous lawyer, in Kenya: He was simply one of the best lawyers who have ever practiced law in Kenya, one who was most admired, in court and out of court, as a counsel blessed with a most personable demeanor and who, despite his obvious and undeniable success, carried himself with a rare air of humility, uncommon among storied lawyers of our generation. Ranked amongst the top 25 dispute resolution lawyers in Kenya by Chambers Global 2021, it shall never be in doubt that, in his 34 years of excellent bar-raising legal practice, Evans earned his place at the very top of the noble profession in Kenya and beyond. He was described as a “very able man” who provided a “very professional service and expertise.”
The World Leading Lawyer Ranking Directory, Chambers & Partners, variously acclaimed Evans as a Lawyer who was “an established presence in the Kenyan legal community,” a “strong presence in the courtroom,” “valued by clients for his strategic approach” and “instructed on a range of high-profile litigations and arbitrations.” He was recognized as a “senior and prominent” advocate who was “a result-oriented and natural leader,” and a “popular choice of counsel in issues of constitutional and judicial significance.” As the Senior Disputes and Arbitrations Partner at Bowmans, The Legal 500 in 2021, noted Evans Monari was “at the forefront of constitutional and judicial review cases.”
In his legendary litigation career, Evans was noted for, acting on behalf of the Government of Kenya in international arbitration proceedings filed at ICSID by a foreign investor for damage due to revocation of an energy contract with Freshfields Bruckhaus and Deringer as co-counsel. He also acted for Strabag International GMBH Limited in a breach of a construction contract case. He successfully represented AVIC International in a challenge seeking to halt the development of Nairobi’s largest mixed use skyscraper project. He also was the Lead Defense Counsel at the International Criminal Court in respect of Gen. Hussein Mohammed and later joined the Defence of H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya.
Indeed, Evans Monari was the proverbial lawyer whose gift made room for him and brought him before great men. As testament of his greatness and astuteness in litigation, Evans counted the incumbent President among his many repeat clients. As if to justify why, despite having the best of lawyers at his beck and call, he kept going back to Evans for legal counsel and representation, the Head of State President H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta described him on his passing as “one of our country’s leading lawyers who distinguished himself as a dependable resource as seen from his successes.” The Deputy President, H.E. Dr. William Ruto, added that “Evans Monari was a farsighted visionary lawyer with Supreme knowledge of the Constitution and the law.”
Hon Justice Martha Koome, Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court of Kenya, mourned Evans: “I have known Evans for the last 38 years since we met as first year law students at the University of Nairobi…In Evans, lay this gallant and astute lawyer, who represented the high, the mighty and even the poor who consulted him, with equal measure of care and professionalism… one of our best lawyers who contributed immensely by mentoring upcoming lawyers and was a great model.” Supreme Court Judge, Justice Njoki Ndung’u added that Evans was “a good person [who was] always smiling through thick and thin… a true and trusted friend.”
Former Prime Minister of Kenya Raila Odinga against whom Evans represented the President and his Deputy in two Presidential Election Petitions said “Counsel Monari was a man with a brilliant mind, a generous heart and a lively spirit” who had an “illustrious legal career.” Interior CS Dr. Fred Matiang’i noted Evans as “an active and vibrant lawyer who distinguished himself in an impressive career.” Senate Minority Leader and Senior Counsel Senator James Orengo said with the passing of Evans, “the legal fraternity had an illustrious and dedicated professional.” Former Majority Leader Senator Kipchumba Murkomen termed Evans “A brilliant lawyer. A mentor to many. A gentle soul.”
Prominent Lawyer and Evans best friend, Donald B. Kipkorir, Managing Partner of KTK Advocates, gushed: “Evans Monari, Dr. Evans Monari as we called him… was a giant in every sense: Super clever, Humorous, Generous, Humble.” The Publisher of the Nairobi Law Monthly and Former President of LSK, Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi confessed: “Fresh from Law School, Evans Monari took me under his wings and introduced me to Legal practice 101. Great Soul, a great human being…” Former JSC Commissioner Prof. Tom Ojienda, a friend of Evans, called him “a legal titan.” Stanford Moyo, President of International Bar Association, described Evans as “a brilliant lawyer, a good man and a friend.”
LSK Vice President Caroline Kamende hailed Evans as “A legal icon …An astute legal mind. An amiable person, friend and a mentor to many.” Lawyer Mary Wangari, Group Executive Director, Equity Group Holdings, called him “A fine lawyer and gentleman.” Chacha Odera, Senior Partner at Oraro & Company, noted: “Evans will be remembered as an amiable and great lawyer. He will be immortalized by his contribution to the legal profession.” Joseph Githaiga, Head of Legal & Regulatory Compliance, PwC Kenya “Evans was known for his intelligence, wit and flair …a friend and mentor to many in the legal profession.” Africa PE (Private Equity) News said “Evans was a gallant and astute legal practitioner.” Jacqueline Lule, Legal Officer, United Nations said: “Glad to have known and worked with you. Casual, unfussy brilliance at its best.” Dr. Muthomi Thiankolu, Partner at Muthomi & Karanja Advocates, summed Evans as “a legal legend.”
The towering humility of Evans Monari is borne out in the heartfelt commiseration of his former pupils and juniors. Ibrahim Godofa, a current Trainee Lawyers at Bowmans, Kenya who enjoyed the tutelage of Evans most recently underscored his humility: “Many have mentioned how humble Evans was. I will fondly remember every moment at numerous arbitration conferences when he would take some time, lean in and hear me out – often followed by great nuggets of a practitioner’s wisdom. I was just a naive student then but I doubt whether that made any difference to him.”
Director of Public Policy-Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) at MasterCard, George Owuor, a former Pupil of Evans Monari, added that he was “a guiding light starting from pupillage and have continued to be a valued and dependable friend in this journey of life” Sean Omondi, Partner at Ronn Law Advocates LLP, who worked under Evans for 16 years at Daly & Figgis (now CMS Daly Inamdar) and Bowmans eulogized him in these words: “You gave and shared consistently without tiring – time, friendship, happiness, wit, laughter, opportunities, resources, connections, solutions… name it. You were always willing to sacrifice something for someone else’s comfort…You treated many of us as equals even though you were miles ahead and head and shoulders above the rest of us. You forgave and forgot whenever you were let down. You always seemed to see the bigger picture.”
The good humour of Evans Monari is what saw him collect the title of “Doctor” when his friend, the Former Attorney General, Senior Counsel Githu Muigai, became a professor, only to end up sticking with it. He also had the gift of the gab which made him the natural choice for master of ceremony at many functions. According to a colleague, one of the hilarious jokes in Evans’s repertoire was about “the fruitful (pun intended) discussions” at the diplomatic meeting in the 1980s between a representative of the Government of Kenya, Cabinet Minister Mukasa Mango and the then Zimbabwean Head of State President Canaan Banana.
Born in 20th October, 1962, Evans Monari graduated from the University of Nairobi with Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) in 1986, completed his diploma in Law from Kenya School of Law in 1987 and joined Kaplan & Stratton for his pupilage under the tutelage of Senior Counsel Pheroze Nowrojee. Later, he joined the firm of Oraro and Rachier Advocates (which has since split into two iconic law firms) and later worked at Simani & Co. Advocates, Mboya Advocates, State Law Office and briefly at the Museum of Kenya. Then, Evans joined others to form Sunkuli, Ogetto & Monari Advocates from where he joined Daly & Figgis as a Partner at the turn of the Millennium. Lastly, Evans joined Bowmans and served as the Senior Disputes and Arbitration Partner, till his demise.
Richard Harney, Founding Partner of Coulson Harney (Bowmans, Kenya), highlighted the contribution of Evans at Bowmans: “Evans nurtured our young lawyers, worked alongside our lawyers, and gave confidence to our partners that with him on our side, things will go well.” Paras Shah, Managing Partner of Bowmans Kenya, added: “Daktari, you were a legend. You have left an indelible mark on the legal profession and on your law firm …You lit up our offices. You inspired us. You led us. You strengthened us.” Ezra Davids, Chairman and Senior Partner at Bowmans, concluded: “Go well Evans! You have left your mark. Thank you for sharing your great talent with us as your colleagues, and with our clients. We are eternally grateful.”
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