FOL students Patrick Gitonga and Edna Nkirote emerge victorious in Africa's most prestigious human rights moot court competition

The University of Nairobi Faculty of Law has achieved a historic milestone by winning the 34th Christof Heyns All Africa Human Rights Moot Court Competition, held from June 29 to July 5, 2025, at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. The Kenyan team, comprising Patrick Gitonga and Edna Nkirote, outperformed competitors from across the African continent to claim the prestigious trophy in what is widely regarded as the most important human rights moot court competition in the region.

The Christof Heyns African Human Rights Moot Court Competition represents the largest gathering of law students, academics, and judges focused on human rights in Africa. This annual event brings together law faculties from across the continent, creating a platform for the next generation of legal professionals to engage with complex human rights issues through rigorous academic competition.

The 34th edition of the competition was hosted by the University of Cape Town's Faculty of Law, welcoming over 70 universities from across Africa. The competition examined critical contemporary issues including migration and human rights, statelessness, and civil and political rights - topics that remain at the forefront of legal discourse across the continent.

Patrick Gitonga and Edna Nkirote's victory represents years of preparation and dedication under the guidance of their coach, Mr. Sam Alosa. The duo navigated through preliminary rounds, competing against both anglophone and francophone teams from 14 African countries before advancing to the finals. Their success demonstrates not only individual excellence but also the strength of the University of Nairobi's law program and its commitment to human rights education.

The competition format requires teams to argue both sides of a hypothetical case, testing their understanding of African human rights law, international legal principles, and their ability to present compelling legal arguments under pressure. The fact that Kenyan students emerged victorious from such a competitive field speaks to the quality of legal education and training at the University of Nairobi.

Named after the late Professor Christof Heyns, a distinguished South African human rights lawyer and former UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, the competition honors his commitment to human rights education and legal excellence. Professor Heyns was instrumental in developing human rights jurisprudence in Africa and believed strongly in the importance of training the next generation of human rights lawyers.

The competition serves as a living tribute to his work, encouraging law students across Africa to engage deeply with human rights law and to develop the skills necessary to advocate for justice and equality in their respective countries.

The University of Nairobi's victory carries broader implications for legal education in Africa. It demonstrates the continent's capacity to produce world-class legal talent and highlights the importance of moot court competitions in developing practical legal skills. These competitions bridge the gap between theoretical legal study and real-world practice, preparing students for careers in human rights law, international law, and advocacy.

The competition also serves as a platform for networking and collaboration among African law schools, fostering relationships that contribute to the development of a pan-African legal community committed to human rights protection and advancement.

For Kenya and the broader East African region, this victory represents a significant achievement in the field of legal education. It showcases the University of Nairobi's position as a leading institution in African legal scholarship and its commitment to producing lawyers who can effectively advocate for human rights both domestically and internationally.

The success of Patrick Gitonga and Edna Nkirote also serves as an inspiration to other law students across the continent, demonstrating that with dedication, proper training, and institutional support, African law students can excel at the highest levels of academic competition.

The role of Mr. Sam Alosa as the team's coach cannot be understated. His guidance and preparation were instrumental in ensuring that the team was ready to compete at the highest level. The success reflects not only the students' talents but also the quality of coaching and institutional support provided by the University of Nairobi Faculty of Law.

This victory adds to the University of Nairobi's growing reputation in moot court competitions, building on previous successes in various international legal competitions and reinforcing its status as a premier institution for legal education in Africa.

As the 34th Christof Heyns All Africa Human Rights Moot Court Competition concludes, the University of Nairobi's victory sets a high standard for future competitions. It demonstrates the importance of investing in moot court programs and human rights education, while also highlighting the potential for African law schools to produce graduates capable of addressing the continent's most pressing legal challenges.

The success of Patrick Gitonga and Edna Nkirote will undoubtedly inspire other students at the University of Nairobi and across Africa to pursue excellence in human rights law, contributing to the development of a new generation of legal professionals committed to justice, equality, and the protection of fundamental human rights.

This historic victory not only brings honor to the University of Nairobi but also represents a significant achievement for Kenya and the African continent as a whole, demonstrating the strength and potential of African legal education in addressing the critical human rights challenges of our time.