This year marks the first quinquennial celebrations of the Avid Readers’ Forum at the Kabarak University School of Law. The idea of having formal celebrations to mark five years of the Avid Readers Forum was a brainchild of Mr. Cedric Kadima, a Kabarak University alumnus and a founder member of the Avid Readers’ Forum. It was Mr Kadima whom in the year 2019, I requested to craft a brief concept note that would inform the operationalization of the Avid Readers’ Forum. Judged in the frame of his generation, history will be very kind to Mr Kadima. He was on this occasion, as he has always been, obedient. He crafted the concept note. Five years later, that simple concept note that was barely half a page in length has yielded the grand project that we now call the Avid Readers’ Forum.

In an exciting start to their academic journey, the first-year law students of Kabarak University experienced their first class under the guidance of none other than the renowned Dean, Prof. John Ambani. This introductory class was not just an ordinary lecture—it was an invitation to step into the prestigious world that Kabarak University School of Law has dominated for years.

The Kabarak University Rugby Team has clinched the coveted Division 2 title at the SportPesa National 7s Circuit, securing their place in rugby history. At the Prinsloo 7s, held at the National Athletics Club, Kabarak emerged as overall champions 🏆, earning a promotion to Division 1—a significant achievement that cemented their status among Kenya's rugby elite.

Kabarak University's rugby team has made a powerful statement on the field, finishing in first place in Division 2 at the 2024 Mombasa Sevens. This victory not only earned them the coveted top spot but also secured their ticket to compete in Division 1 during the prestigious Prinsloo Sevens at Nakuru Athletics Club. Known for the fast-paced game of speed and scrums, the team has risen to the challenge, now facing off against giants in Kenyan rugby.

The Avid Readers’ Forum held a significant webinar on 11 September 2024 focused on fulfilling economic and social rights as outlined in Article 43 of the Kenyan Constitution. The panel featured distinguished experts: Dr Gautam Bhatia, a renowned constitutional lawyer and comparative constitutional scholar; Dr Victoria Miyandazi, a constitutional researcher from St Andrews University; Dr Jill Ghai, co-founder of the Katiba Institute and an advocate in education, gender studies, and human rights; and Mr Ian Mathenge, an associate at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. Ruth Jebet, a law student at Kabarak Law School, moderated the discussion.

It is the expectation of any person that a member of the Avid Readers’ Forum (ARF) was or has always been an avid reader. Allow me to greatly fail to meet your expectations. This writing, unlike the others that may focus on the journey of the ARF, focuses on my journey through the Avid Readers’ Forum: from being a not-so-lover of reading to my “Damascus moment” of joining ARF and becoming a moderator of the forum.