Is Grace Wakesho Maingi an #EnemyOfTheStateKE?

Grace Wakesho Maingi 36, the current Executive Director at URAIA, would not mind some rap songs by Jua Kali or classical music such as Ludwig van Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata. Like most Kenyans, she loves music and dancing, reading and movies. But besides that, she is passionate about environmental conservation and governance.

She is a proficient human rights lawyer, having worked as such for more than 12 years in related duties and initiatives. Her boldness in governance and democracy work may have earned her an enemy of the state badge from the people she may have brushed shoulders.  

Human Rights Work

She began her career journey into law at Hamilton Harrison and Mathews as a pupil right after her University of Leicester, UK law degree at the  and postgraduate diploma at the Kenya School of Law. Her educational background begins at Hospital Hill Primary School and went on to her A levels in Rusinga School, and O levels Precious Blood Riruta. She is enrolled at the University Of London, UK on distance learning for her Masters in Law with a specialization in human rights. 

Through her work with various non-governmental organizations, she has worked around the country as well as internationally. In a country much bedeviled by poor governance and corruption, it is impossible to take no notice of her key role in helping Kenyans access justice and push for social transformation. 

She began her work in governance at the ICJ Kenya in 2001, rising through the ranks from being an intern to a program officer until 2003. During this time her work focused on the Judiciary, most notably being a member of the Advisory Panel of Eminent Commonwealth Judicial Experts when they visited Kenya in 2001.

Between 2003 and 2006, Maingi worked at the Law Society of Kenya as the Deputy Secretary. While here, she managed the inception of the continuing legal education programme, the first in the legal profession in Kenya and co-ordinated Kenya’s first hosting of the International Commonwealth Lawyers Conference. 

She then moved back to ICJ Kenya in 2006 as the legal officer, training her sights on protecting human rights in Africa. Here, she worked with lawyers in Southern Africa on various public interest litigation cases in Zambia and Zimbabwe including the Morgan Tsvangirai case. She had a stint at The Coalition on Violence Against Women as the Deputy Co-ordinator and Advocacy Manager, and was instrumental in the preparation of post-election violence victims to appear before the Commission on the Inquiry into the Post-Election Violence (CIPEV). 

The current constitution has the echelons of being one of the best across the world, and part of Maingi’s work has been to fight for the rights of women to access key public positions. With the immense interest in public litigation and transitional justice issues she helped lobby for the enactment of a Special Tribunal following the post-election violence in Kenya.

Between 2010 and 2013, she worked at the Federation of Women Lawyers, Kenya (FIDA Kenya) and was instrumental in lobbying for the Constitution of Kenya, 2010. A landmark case at the Supreme Court sparked debate on two-thirds gender balance.

In 2012, the Kenya Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society (KOGS recognised Grace Wakesho Maingi with an honorary Award, especially for her role in advancing the right of women’s access to health in the country. Another honorary award came from the Reproductive Health and Rights Alliance (RHRA) for her exemplary commitment in championing the advancement of women’s reproductive health and rights in 2010.

Family

She has three other siblings, three elder brothers and a younger sister. Grace Maingi is also a mother of two sons aged eight and four. “I love to travel, swimming, listening to music and dancing, reading and watching movies. I am passionate about environmental conservation and governance.” She says.

Story time: URAIA Executive Director and human rights defender Grace Maingi and her sons

“I want to make Kenya a better place for future generations where there is no oppression, inequality and greed, because I believe in freedom of thought, action and conscience.” Those who have gone before inspire her because of “their commitment and drive to selfless living in the name of democracy” she adds.

 She gives specific homage to her past bosses and mentors – George Kegoro and Don Deya. Part of her driving force is women who have stood up and excelled in a male dominated world, which includes Hilary Clinton. With her inward craving for excellence, she opts to go with her high school mantra – ‘Do the ordinary extraordinarily well.’

Parting shot: “Some of my proudest moments in life are meeting Madam Secretary Hilary Clinton, speaking before the UN CEDAW Committee in Geneva and addressing guests at the 4th of July 2011 reception at the US Ambassador’s residence on the gains of women in the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 and most importantly having my sons who continue to motivate me.”

So, is Grace Wakesho Maingi an #EnemyOfTheStateKE?
 https://plus.google.com/u/0/events/ciab5ill4cjomduuiprk4ogfiqk