A few years ago she was an enterprising farmer; planting watermelon on the shores of lake Victoria, in the quiet village of Muhuru Bay, Migori County, where everybody knows everybody.
The residents knew her as the brilliant kid lawyer.
“She has taken after her late dad’s brilliance,” some villagers would whisper whenever they saw her passing headed to the farm.
“You could find her dressed casually, preparing the land, and watering her farm.
“One could never tell that she was a lawyer,” a source from Muhuru Bay told Mwanahabari.co.ke.
These men – and women from Muhuru Bay – had no idea that on Thursday, July 1, 2021, nearly a decade later, this little kid lawyer, the watermelon farmer, would hit the national headlines – and for good reason.
Ang’awa is a great name
In a village where a person’s surname bares the weight of an entire generation – the name Ang’awa is great. It’s known.
The previous bearers of the name – Ang’awa – left an indelible mark.
Lawyer Ang’awa, is the granddaughter of the famous colonial teacher Mwalimu Josiah Ang’awa who hailed from Sori, Karungu. Ang’awa is beautiful – and brilliant just like the previous Ang’awas – her late dad included.
“Esther’s dad was a brilliant mind. She has clearly taken after her dad,” a source who was a friend to the dad told Mwanahabari.co.ke.
Indeed Kenyans were left scratching their heads in admiration on July 1 after listening to Esther Ang’awa deconstruct the Building Bridges (BBI) appeal.
Beauty and law
Her brilliance was clothed in her eloquence. Indeed there can only be one Esther Ang’awa; the little known lady lawyer who treated Kenyans to a cocktail of knowledge, beauty and law.
Kenyans fell in love with the former watermelon farmer – instantly – they had to.
There was no doubt that a gem had just been discovered with many likening her to Kethi Kilonzo, the daughter of the late lawyer Mutula Kilozo, who introduced herself to Kenyans as a legal force during the 2013 election petition.
As they say, words are powerful – and yes – Ang’awa made good use of her words, arranging every bit of her adjectives with the precision of a surgeon – only occasionally pausing for effect with the occasional refrain; My Lords and Ladies, punctuating her excellent presentation.
Brilliant young mind
Those who know Ang’awa, who has been invited to give talks in universities, have described her as a brilliant young mind.
Esther also has a passion for community development with specific focus on programs targeting youth, women, and children.