Is it the end of an extraordinary era, marked with remarkable accomplishments, or is it the continuation of even greater things? This week marks the end of the Kabarak Law Review 2022-2023 Editorial Board’s term. This distinguished Board comprised of Laureen Nyamu (Editor-in-Chief), Patricia Cheruiyot (Managing Editor), David Arita (Peer Review Editor), Alex Tamei (Editor in charge of the Kabarak Law Review Blog), Caleb Kipkorir (Source and Fact-Checking Editor), and Nadya Rashid Musa (Associate Editor).
The primary responsibility of the Kabarak Law Review Editorial Board lies in producing an annual publication, issued in December. This signifies the fulfilment of the board’s mission, leading to the dissolution of the Board after a year of dedicated service.
In addition to fulfilling its core obligation of overseeing the publication of the Kabarak Law Review, the Kabarak Law Review Editorial Board 2022-2023 has had various outstanding achievements such as the inception of the Kabarak Law Review Blog. The Board actively sourced quality blog articles, diligently edited them and ensured regular posting of these excellent pieces on the blog.
As of 8 December 2023, the KLR Blog boasts of having published thirty-one (31) blog articles authored by both students and faculty. The Blog also contains pieces from legal scholars such as Chief Justice Emeritus Willy Mutunga who graced the Blog with various articles including; Voices in the wilderness: on the matter of demonstrations, and Florence Shako, an advocate of the High Court on, Dismantling epistemic violence and eurocentrism in the teaching and research of international law in the Global South: A reflection. The Kabarak Law Review has significantly influenced the writing culture among students, actively nurturing their ability to write and facilitating the publication of their work.
In addition to that, the Kabarak Law Review Editorial Board has played a crucial role in entrenching legal research and writing at Kabarak Law School by facilitating legal research and writing workshops. The Board conducted training workshops every Friday, focusing on teaching and practicing writing skills, with the fruits of these training workshops being evident in the published blog articles. The 2023 Board topped off its workshops with a session by Ms. Lucianna Thuo on how to tackle exam questions. Through these training sessions, the Editorial Board has ensured the continuity of the student run body.
The Board members have proficiently trained the incoming Kabarak Law Review Editorial Board. This training took place during the long holiday period, specifically between the months of May and August, 2023. The trainees have subsequently formed the editorial board 2023-2024 after a selection that was conducted under the supervision of the outgoing board.
The outgoing Kabarak Law Review Board also hosted a webinar that looked into, Matumizi ya Lugha ya Kiswahili katika sheria nchini Kenya. The great initiative was moderated by Nadya Rashid. The panelists for the webinar were: Principal Chief Magistrate Yusuf Abdalla Shikanda, John Nyanje, Harrison Kinyanjui and Dr Owiso Owiso. Following this initiative, the Kabarak Law Review plans to have a Kiswahili book project.
Additionally, the 2023 Kabarak Law Review Board has midwifed the Kabarak Law Review Volume 2 (2023) due this December 2023 which features erudite articles including tribute articles to the fallen Kianjokoma Brothers.
Leadership is best taught by a leader. The inauguration of the new Kabarak Law Review Board 2023-2024 has marked the end of the dedicated 2023 Kabarak Law Review Board. The new board has been skillfully sharpened by the outgoing Board which took the role rigorously in ensuring that the baton is passed to the right lot.
The members of the new Board and their respective roles are: Nadya Rashid (Editor-in-Chief), Elvis Ongiri Mogesa (Managing Editor), George Njogu Murimi (Editor in Charge of the Blog), Pawi Sylvian Fortune (Editor in Charge of the Blog), Esther-Blessing Nasimiyu (Peer Review Editor), Nasra Abdalla Omar (Editor in Charge of Partnerships), Victoria Okeke Oguchukwu (Source and Fact Checking Editor) and Makokha Uday Keya (Associate Editor).
The incoming editorial board is to take up the mantle of producing the next volume of the Kabarak Law Review journal. It particularly aims to further and build upon the efforts and achievements of outgoing board by fostering partnerships with other student-run journals. This is to ensure not only enhancement of capacity building and academic rigour but also the advancement of legal scholarships. Additionally, the incoming Board is committed to ensuring the continuity of the Kabarak Law Review by adequately training its successors. Is this new Board prepared to build upon the accomplishments of the outgoing Board? How will they achieve this? The answers to these questions will be apparent throughout the upcoming year.
