Post by 50cents on May 31, 2007 15:07:43 GMT 3
Meet the king of ‘eloquence’
By Lucy Anaya
There is a prominent lawyer in Kenya who is one of the most eloquent public speakers in this country. His mastery of English, Kiswahili, Latin, French, Luhya, Luo, a little Kamba and Kikuyu languages has made him a household name. This is Dr Patrick Loch Otieno (PLO) Lumumba.
Rising from humble background, he has beaten several odds to be in the struggle for justice, political and social emancipation of the Kenyan people.
His leadership skills were exhibited during the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission where he was the commission’s secretary.
PLO is a lawyer of reputable standards known both locally and internationally.
He was born on July 17, 1962 at Pumwani Maternity Hospital, Nairobi. Born Patrick Otieno, he adopted the name Lumumba after the death of Patrice Lumumba of DRC Congo.
He is the first born in a family of four. He was born and raised in a humble background by his parents, the late Reverend N.H.O Mahondo and Mama Jane Ongira Thoma.
In his youthful days, PLO lived in Nairobi’s Eastlands area. He attended Dr Krapf Primary School and later joined Pumwani Secondary School, both in Nairobi
After completing his high school education, PLO joined the University of Nairobi where he graduated with a degree in Law. He then furthered his education at the University of Ghent in Belgium.
At a tender age of 12, PLO remembers the day when he headed to his Jericho Lumumba estate home after school only to find their house locked and their belongings thrown out. That was his saddest moment in life. He had to seek refuge in his uncle’s house in Eastleigh.
Nevertheless, that did not deter him from performing well in school and setting goals in life.
His dream to become a lawyer was born when one day, as a young boy, he accompanied his uncle to visit a family friend who was a lawyer. “At a very tender age, I had already focused on my career and I worked hard for it,”
PLO is married to Celestine Lumumba, also a lawyer. Together they are blessed with two daughters. Jane, who studies at the University of Toronto and Michelle, a student at Hillcrest School, Nairobi.
PLO points out that his family is a great source of inspiration. They give him both moral and spiritual support. Away from his busy schedule at work, he spends time with his family by going out for lunch or on picnics.
This year, PLO has expressed his interest to run for a parliamentary seat for Kamukunji
“I want to use my enthusiasm, drive and ideas to be a great servant of the people. I cannot shy from telling the truth. I empathise with the poor and dedicate my time and energies to their plight,” he says.
In his humanitarian efforts, he has started the PLO foundation which contributes to the society and run activities such as offering education bursaries to needy bright students.
His advice to people who want to emulate him is: “Make a choice in life and never say die. Believe in yourself and be humble. Above all, trust in God.”
By Lucy Anaya
There is a prominent lawyer in Kenya who is one of the most eloquent public speakers in this country. His mastery of English, Kiswahili, Latin, French, Luhya, Luo, a little Kamba and Kikuyu languages has made him a household name. This is Dr Patrick Loch Otieno (PLO) Lumumba.
Rising from humble background, he has beaten several odds to be in the struggle for justice, political and social emancipation of the Kenyan people.
His leadership skills were exhibited during the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission where he was the commission’s secretary.
PLO is a lawyer of reputable standards known both locally and internationally.
He was born on July 17, 1962 at Pumwani Maternity Hospital, Nairobi. Born Patrick Otieno, he adopted the name Lumumba after the death of Patrice Lumumba of DRC Congo.
He is the first born in a family of four. He was born and raised in a humble background by his parents, the late Reverend N.H.O Mahondo and Mama Jane Ongira Thoma.
In his youthful days, PLO lived in Nairobi’s Eastlands area. He attended Dr Krapf Primary School and later joined Pumwani Secondary School, both in Nairobi
After completing his high school education, PLO joined the University of Nairobi where he graduated with a degree in Law. He then furthered his education at the University of Ghent in Belgium.
At a tender age of 12, PLO remembers the day when he headed to his Jericho Lumumba estate home after school only to find their house locked and their belongings thrown out. That was his saddest moment in life. He had to seek refuge in his uncle’s house in Eastleigh.
Nevertheless, that did not deter him from performing well in school and setting goals in life.
His dream to become a lawyer was born when one day, as a young boy, he accompanied his uncle to visit a family friend who was a lawyer. “At a very tender age, I had already focused on my career and I worked hard for it,”
PLO is married to Celestine Lumumba, also a lawyer. Together they are blessed with two daughters. Jane, who studies at the University of Toronto and Michelle, a student at Hillcrest School, Nairobi.
PLO points out that his family is a great source of inspiration. They give him both moral and spiritual support. Away from his busy schedule at work, he spends time with his family by going out for lunch or on picnics.
This year, PLO has expressed his interest to run for a parliamentary seat for Kamukunji
“I want to use my enthusiasm, drive and ideas to be a great servant of the people. I cannot shy from telling the truth. I empathise with the poor and dedicate my time and energies to their plight,” he says.
In his humanitarian efforts, he has started the PLO foundation which contributes to the society and run activities such as offering education bursaries to needy bright students.
His advice to people who want to emulate him is: “Make a choice in life and never say die. Believe in yourself and be humble. Above all, trust in God.”
