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Constitutional Lawyer & Senior Lecturer at Kabarak University
Elisha Zebedee Ongoya (born 15 April 1975) is a Kenyan lawyer, lecturer, and constitutional scholar. Raised in Western Kenya, he studied at St. Paul’s Ikahlika Primary School and Musingu High School before pursuing law at the University of Nairobi, where he earned both his Bachelor of Laws and Master of Laws degrees. In 2017, he completed a Management of Higher Learning programme at the Galilee International Management Institute in Israel.
View Count
128
County
Kenya
Birth Year
1975
Get to know the story behind the profile.
Elisha Zebedee Ongoya (born 15 April 1975) is a Kenyan lawyer, lecturer, and constitutional scholar. Raised in Western Kenya, he studied at St. Paul’s Ikahlika Primary School and Musingu High School before pursuing law at the University of Nairobi, where he earned both his Bachelor of Laws and Master of Laws degrees. In 2017, he completed a Management of Higher Learning programme at the Galilee International Management Institute in Israel. He is an advocate of the High Court of Kenya and a partner at Ongoya & Wambola Advocates. In addition, he teaches as a senior lecturer at the Kabarak University School of Law. Renowned for his sharp litigation skills and depth in legal scholarship, Ongoya has represented high-profile clients such as Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during Senate impeachment hearings. He also played a central role in the legal team that challenged the Building Bridges Initiative, a process the courts ultimately ruled unconstitutional.
Highlights that showcase impact and influence.
Successfully defended Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza in two impeachment trials before the Senate, enabling her to retain her governorship:
Represented Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during his impeachment proceedings and gained acclaim for incisive questioning of MP Mwengi Mutuse
Part of the legal team that halted the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) by convincing the High Court and Court of Appeal to declare it unconstitutional:
Senior lecturer at Kabarak University School of Law, nurturing future legal professionals
Partner at Ongoya & Wambola Advocates, handling high‑profile litigation and advising clients
Publishes scholarly articles and papers contributing to Kenyan jurisprudence
A timeline of pivotal roles and responsibilities.
Admitted as an advocate of the High Court of Kenya and began practising law
Senior lecturer at Kabarak University School of Law, mentoring law students and researchers
Partner at Ongoya & Wambola Advocates; handles high‑profile cases and advisory services
2020–2021: Part of the legal team that successfully challenged the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) in the High Court and Court of Appeal
2022–2023: Lead counsel defending Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza during Senate impeachment proceedings
2024: Represented Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in Senate impeachment hearings and gained national prominence for incisive questioning
2017: Completed a management programme at Galilee International Management Institute in Israel
Key events that have shaped public perception.
His relentless cross‑examination of MP Mwengi Mutuse during the Gachagua impeachment hearings sparked online debate; critics considered his style aggressive while supporters lauded his legal acumen