Argwings Kodhek is a Kenyan lawyer and academician known for being the first black lawyer in East Africa.
Argwings Kodhek was born shortly after Kenya became a British Colony, thus in 1923 in present day Siaya County, Gem constituency in Malanga. Argwings Kodhek hailed from one of the most powerful clans in Kenya, Kogolo-ojuodhi clan.
After being baptized Argwings Kodhek became known as Clement Michael George. Argwings Kodhek attended a local missionary school and later joined St. Mary Yala for his Cambridge certificate before proceeding to St Mary Kisubi College and then Makerere College.
From 1937 to 1940, Argwings Kodhek studied for a diploma in education at Makerere College. At the college, he met other high profile African personalities including; Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, Kabaka Mutesa II, Milton Obote and Mwai Kibaki. Argwings Kodhek’s passion for law led him to terminate a scholarship to study social science at the University of Cardiff. After terminating the scholarship, Argwings Kodhek’s parents financially supported him to study law at the University of St. Andrews. Argwings Kodhek became a barrister and was admitted to the prestigious Lincoln’s Inn. Argwings Kodhek shocked his family and friends when in 1952, he left a well-paying job in the UK to join in the political struggle in Kenya.
After returning to Kenya, Argwings Kodhek taught at Kapsabet boys which was then in Rift Valley province until 1947. It was during his time at Kapsabet boys that Argwings Kodhek met Daniel Moi who later became a member of legislative council, vice president and president of independent Kenya.
The meeting with Daniel Moi propelled Argwings Kodhek to become the first Kenyan to open a private law firm.
Argwings Kodhek held various posts such as founder and president Nairobi District African Congress in 1956, Member of the Legislative Council 1961-3, Minister of Lands, Surveys and Town Planning in 1962.
In the Kenyatta government, Argwings Kodhek served in various posts including Parliamentary Secretary to Ministry of Health and Housing, 1963, and Assistant Minister, Ministry of Internal Security and Defence, from 1964.
Argwings Kodhek later became Minister of Natural Resources in 1966 and Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1967, a post he held until his death.
In parliament, Argwings Kodhek was an eloquent debater, especially on matters of nationalism as evident in 1965 budget speech.
Argwings Kodhek Wife
Argwings Kodhek married a white lady, Mavis Tate. However, due to segregation laws which prohibited Africans from settling in the white neighbourhoods of Lavington, Karen and Muthaiga, they settled at Ruaraka. The marriage couldn’t stand the test of time and Argwings Kodhek divorced Mavis Tate and married Joan Omondo.
Argwings Kodhek Family
Argwings Kodhek has two children; Carole Argwings Kodhek and Agwingi Argwings-Kodhek.
Argwings Kodhek Son
Agwingi Argwings-Kodhek is the last born son of renowned Kenyan lawyer and liberation hero, Argwings Kodhek. In Mombasa, Agwingi Argwings-Kodhek is affectionately called Sheikh Yasin or General Agwati and he is revered as a modern Islamic scholar with a fiery tongue.
Agwingi Argwings-Kodhek has leveraged on his father’s image to build a solid brand for himself. Agwingi Argwings-Kodhek currently boasts of a lavish residence in Nyali, which is set on a sprawling two acres beach-side. Six bedrooms, swimming pool, Jacuzzi, Range Rover, Porsche, S Class Mercedes.
Argwings Kodhek Death
Argwings Kodhek died on Tuesday, January 29, 1969. The car he was riding in rolled on the Nairobi road that is now named after him. He was rushed to Nairobi Hospital where he died hours later.