Galana Road in Nairobi’s Kilimani area has been officially renamed Pheroze Nowrojee Road in honor of the late Senior Counsel Pheroze Nowrojee, recognizing his lifelong dedication to justice, human rights, and democracy.
The renaming ceremony, attended by family, friends, colleagues, and Kenyans, marked a symbolic installation of Nowrojee’s legacy at the center of the city he served.
Human rights activist Boniface Mwangi stated that the event represented more than just a name change, reflecting the lasting impact of Nowrojee’s work in Kenya’s legal and civic spheres.
He portrayed Nowrojee as a principled defender of justice who remained steadfast even in challenging situations, both in courtrooms and in the broader struggle for civil liberties.
“We gathered in Kilimani today to mark more than the renaming of a road. We gathered to install the legacy of the late Pheroze Nowrojee where it belongs, in the heart of the city where he lived and served so faithfully,” Mwangi said.
“Pheroze Nowrojee stood where it was not always safe to stand. He chose principle over convenience, defending those whose voices were being silenced and insisting that the law must protect, not punish, the people.”
According to Mwangi, Nowrojee’s work significantly contributed to shaping Kenya’s democratic space, not only through litigation but also through mentorship, writing, and public advocacy.
Through the renaming, he said, Nowrojee’s legacy will assume a more permanent presence in the capital.
“From today, his name will no longer just be spoken in legal circles or remembered in storiesit is immortalised in the heart of the nation’s capital, a constant reminder of the standard he set and the responsibility we have to carry his legacy forward,” Mwangi said.
The renaming of the road serves as a tribute to Nowrojee’s enduring influence on Kenya’s legal profession and human rights movement, solidifying his place in the country’s collective memory.
Senior Counsel Pheroze passed away on April 5, 2025, at the age of 84.
Pheroze was an Advocate of the High Courts of Kenya, Tanzania, and Zanzibar with a practice primarily focused on constitutional, political, and human rights cases.
The seasoned lawyer also appeared in the High Courts of Uganda and the Seychelles.
In addition to his courtroom prowess, Pheroze taught at the University of Dar-es-Salaam (1974-1977), the University of Nairobi (1979-1985), and the Kenya School of Law (1968-1970, 1978-1985).
He was an author, having written four books, including Pio Gama Pinto: Patriot for Social Justice, A Vote for Kenya: The Elections and the Constitution, A Kenyan Journey, and Conserving the Intangible.
In recognition of his work, Pheroze received several awards.
These included the International Commission of Jurists (Kenya) ICJ Jurist of the Year in 1995, the International Bar Association (IBA) Bernard Simons Human Rights Prize for 2002-2004, the Law Society of Kenya Roll of Honour in 2005, the Maasai People Safeguarding Rights Award in 2007, and the CB Madan Constitution Prize in 2014.
Pheroze was a winner of the BBC Africa Poetry Competition in 2001.
He served as Vice-Chair of the Ufungamano People’s Commission on Constitutional Reform from 2000-2001. He was also Co-Chair of the Asian African Heritage Trust, an organization dedicated to Indian Diaspora/Kenyan history.
According to ICJ, when plans for a permanent headquarters for the Kenyan office began to take shape, Pheroze became the driving force behind transforming that vision into reality.
ICJ stated that through his leadership and generosity, he mobilized support from his inner circles, family, and trusted friends, raising substantial funds that established the foundation for what would become the ICJ Kenya House.
In July 2019, this vision was fulfilled with the official opening of the office.
Pheroze has been characterized as a gentle giant and a champion of democracy, justice, and liberation.