This archive report was first published on 27 December 2019.
On Thursday, December 26, 2019, colleagues, friends, and family of the late Court of Appeal Judge Otieno Odek gathered to eulogize him as a devoted family man and a legal scholar who has left an indelible mark in the country's legal profession.
Justice Odek, who was the first professor to grace the bench at the Appeal Court, was remembered as a fine legal scholar with admirable clarity of mind, an icon, and an astute jurist with unparalleled passion for his job.
His colleagues and friends shared fond memories of him, describing him as humorous, a talented team worker, and a strategic thinker. Lady Justice Martha Koome recalled how Justice Odek personally went to the court registry in Nyeri and taught the staff how to maintain accurate records, helping to clear the backlog of cases in 2013.
Justice Patrick Kiage, who shared a bench with Prof Odek for six months in Kisumu, described him as a humble soul despite his towering achievements. His wife, Anne Odek, and children, Billy, Ding, and Ian, also shared glowing tributes for the late jurist.
The requiem mass was conducted at Kisumu Law Court grounds, presided over by Archdeacon Boniface Obondi of ACK. Members of the public and advocates were given time to view the body before it was transported to his home in Asembo, Rarieda Sub-County, where he will be buried on Friday, December 27.
