Tributes to the Hon. Justice David Amilcar Shikomera Majanja.

Am I making a tribute to you David? I still cannot believe you are gone...our humble David with a big, big heart, a loving son, a loving brother: our shared childhood memories will remain precious for in our childhood I had an opportunity to be your big sister and the dual role was best captured in what you called me: _Mamti_. Watching you grow was a joy - you were the gift that kept giving and the entire family celebrated your every progress - it was clear you were destined for greatness... I thank God for the deep relationship we have continued to enjoy. I will miss your company, your love, acts of kindness, deep conversations, your laugh during fun moments, I will miss the way you were always there in good and bad times, I will miss your presence in family gatherings, I will miss your mentorship and support to all your cousins.... I will miss you David - you were our hero: right from your birth when for the first time our parents became grandparents, and I and my siblings aunts and uncles and I know how everyone was excited to have baby David and up to now childhood stories of David still pop up in our conversations... David my younger brother, my son and my friend though your departure has crushed me - I know it is well with your soul and so I release you to your Maker and pray that He helps me, your dad, your siblings and each family member as we learn to live with this big, big gap that we must carry around with us henceforth... Though physically gone, you will forever be in my heart and I will continue to cherish the time God allowed you to b e with us. Rest in Peace dear David - you are forever loved and forever missed...Fare thee well

What's the best time to break, burst into tears? I'm broken beyond repair, I'm ragged deeply, In despair, What's the best time to burst into tears? If in everything we give thanks to the Almighty God What's the best time to burst into tears? All that has life must taste death Life is sweet with troubles in it, Happiness and more to it But death is sour, we don't know the hour But it takes most of our beloved people I have a question? What's the best time to break, burst into tears? All memories we had, are left on photos All the best time we had are left in our hearts All the best things we did are still in our minds Every writing, runs through our blood And most of all the worst times & best times Remain to be wonderful times. What's the best time to break, burst into tears? I may forget about the mistakes I did, But I won't forget how made me feel, I lost hope but found it in you, I'm happy I met you I'm glad to have you And I thank God for you What's the best time to break, burst into tears? May God strengthen us during this hard times & may God heal & strengthen our broken hearts as He rests you in eternal peace. Rest In Eternal Peace HON JUSTICE Majanja

"David, you taught me how to be kind and selfless, It is with a heavy heart that I have to say goodbye to you. Thank you for everything, Forever in our hearts"

Go well David. You meant so much to me and our family as a whole. We miss you every day

Tribute to a brilliant, brave, bold, big, judicial practitioner, gone too soon One day during the early 1990s, David Majanja came to Moshi, Tanzania to visit me. I was located there as an employee of the International Co-operative Alliance, Regional Office in East, Central and Southern Africa. David wanted to know a thing or two about the Wachagga and see their iconic majestic Mount Kilimanjaro. In our talks he also mentioned to me Alliance High School had partly prepared him to serve with confidence. The AHS motto is “strong to serve”. Incidentally, David’s grandfather James Liyai Mbalasi (1907-2008) and Gerishom, David’s father, a robust and eloquent septuagenarian, is an economist. Fathers, especially here in Africa expect their sons to bury them and not the other way round. In David’s brief life and times, he served the Judiciary with extreme competence, brilliance and humility. He grew to become big, brilliant, bold and awesome. He delivered his judgements with flair and decorum. In the mold of one of his British role model: Lord Denning of the United Kingdom. His communicativeness, enhanced with expressive eyes, a trimmed beard and a rich baritone voice, and therefore this unparalleled, unassuming jurist, may very well turn out to be the unsurpassed standard and pacesetter for other professionals in his domain. And so this July 2024 as we celebrate the life, times and sterling career of Justice David Majanja, as we also mourn his untimely death. I wish to share a brief message about death for Gerishom my friend and David’s entire family. Our prayers are that the good, almighty Lord, rests David’s soul in eternal peace. So, rest, rest, REST, our beloved David M. Majanja. “Death is not the end, but rather another step in the unending process of our unfolding. It is a pathway to God. It may sometimes seem as if our baptisms are all on fire, but in the fire we forge new strengths. Though we at times despair, the wakes we plan for ourselves are always premature. Time and again we emerge from the chrysalis changed, remade, born again`. This is the pattern for all life, the end of each journey marking the beginning of new and different ones. Have faith. When those who are dear to us make their transition when we ourselves approach with trepidation that threshold of infinity, know that their lives and ours are cared for by a power greater than any pain.” - anonymous writer

My heartfelt condolences to the strong and Gallant warrior of Justice and order. may your soul rest in eternal peace as the new generation walks in your footsteps and server the nation. your absence will be greatly felt.

I am sad, just sad that you have rested. Fly with the angels. Since I started my undergraduate in LLB at The Catholic University of Eastern Africa and Kenya School of Law to date, when am almost being Admitted to the Bar, I am saddened to know that I will not be able to argue a matter before you. You wrote the best judgments ever at the High Court. Your judgment in Kisii High Court on presumption of marriage in 2018 remains my best reasoned judgment when you cited with approval Hottensiah Wanjiku Yawe case law. I will miss you Your Honour. I am just sad. I pray that you are with God in Heaven and the angels received you with celebrations. Forever in our hearts, Justice Majanja. Personally, I will continue citing your rich jurisprudence in my legal arguments any time I make submissions in court. I honour you, even in death. I am just sad. You lived well.

My dear cousin David, you left us too soon. It feels like a bad dream that the whole of Liyai clan is experiencing. I have fond memories of my half term days with your family, even then you were man of very meaningful words. You were the SI unit of what a big brother should be.We will all miss you. Rest in peace David.

A fallen warrior. He takes with him honesty,humility and Integrity. I wish to pay my deep and heartfelt condolences to his family and the entire JSC. The Blessed Hope Titus 2:13 Sincerely, Hon . Kahwai Wagaki

"A man shall be judged in accordance with his history." The greatness of a man is not measured by where he stands during his comfort but by where he stands during times of adversity and inconvenience.

You were a good friend Maj. Your kindness, and unwavering friendship brought light into our lives every day. Though you're no longer with us, the memories we shared will forever be cherished. Your spirit will continue to inspire us, and your legacy of love and friendship will live on in our hearts. Rest in peace, dear friend. You may be gone, but you will never be forgotten.

I have lost more of a mentor and a father than a boss. I am grateful for the amazing last four years that the late Judge allowed me to be his legal researcher. He inspired and guided me to be a better Advocate and his memory will forever be with us through his jurisprudential decisions and the stories of the many lives that you touched. My condolences to Justice Majanja’s family and may God heal your hearts with time. I will really miss you, Judge

it is with a deep heart that we had to loss you.But we all know that you are in the right place and that you will never be forgotten rest in eternal peace

Dear Justice We thank and value your contribution through the judiciary to mankind. The good lord took you too soon but your legacy will out live us. We pray for your family and friends and may they take comfort that you are at a better place. You run a lovely race but your life was cut short at a tender age.

The KELIN family extends its heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Justice Majanja. We are full of appreciation and deep respect for his unwavering dedication to justice, human rights, and the rule of law. Throughout his esteemed career, Justice Majanja exemplified the highest standards of judicial integrity and professionalism. His contributions have been pivotal in shaping the legal landscape of Kenya, particularly in advancing the rights of marginalized communities and ensuring access to justice for all. We collaborated with Justice during his tenure in Kisumu, Homabay, and Kisumu law courts. At the inception of the Court Users Committee in these courts, he emphasized the inclusion of women's land and property rights and actively promoted alternative justice mechanisms. He understood that many poor and vulnerable communities cannot easily access the courts. He also contributed to various educational materials produced by KELIN, including the cultural structures project, where he stated, "The courts and other access to justice mechanisms must be pro-poor in order to achieve their objectives." May his example continue to guide and inspire us in our ongoing efforts to promote justice and uphold human dignity. With profound respect and admiration. Rest in peace. KELIN