“You will realize that feminism cuts across different facets of human existence, some of which I am certain people do not know”- Christabel Mideva Eboso
As an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya of three years, practising at the Firm of Nyaanga & Mugisha Advocates, a PhD Researcher a lecturer of Public Law and a Fellow of the Associate Fellowship Scheme at the University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom, Christabel Mideva Eboso, is our millennial in this edition. She often appears as a guest/external lecturer at the University of Nairobi, co-teaching Gender and the Law. And she holds an LLB and LLM subsequently from the University of Nairobi, School of Law.
She sits as a Member of the Gender Committee, Law Society of Kenya, and is well versed and has every reason to believe that her legal practice falls under commercial litigation, Arbitration, and the legal academy with a special take-to for governance and gender and the law. Her PhD Research thesis that is underway interrogates the failed implementation of the one-third gender principle in Kenya, whilst offering a comparative solution to a gender-inclusive electoral field. That in itself is proof of her impassioned interest in feminism and the future of women in governance.
1. What makes legal practice exciting for Christabel?
For her, the Legal profession is a learning cycle. Every day, she interacts with different disciplines and through the interaction, she is exposed to new knowledge and ideas. Suffice to say,
“the profession is a hub of networks, with different areas of law enjoying a symbiotic relationship ensuring that none is considered as more superior than the other”, Christabel notes.
She also understands that the heart of law neither belongs to the young or old, only those that take the bold step of letting the law fulfil its purpose and show reverence while at it. As such, for her, the profession continues to be more accommodating to young lawyers, who have taken the cue to blossom and rejuvenate the bar, taking up spaces that were previously a reserve for senior lawyers, and while at it they are being creative and exploring virgin areas of law.
2. What is her philosophy of impacting the nation through the practice of law?
Christabel considers herself to be an African feminist. She understands that if one’s interventions are not intersectional, they are bound to perpetuate inequality within groups; thus, for her, it is, therefore, important to recognize the differences no matter how minor one may think they are. She is a staunch believer in the equality of the sexes and ensuring that this comes to fruition, she believes it is also important to take a walk down history lane to heal any atrocities committed against minority groups and upset any quo that tipped towards one end of the stick to the detriment of the other.
“You will realize that feminism cuts across different facets of human existence, some of which I am certain people do not know”, Christabel notes.
She asks, “did you know that environmental feminism exists?” This is one answer that she bets that you never knew. Her point is that we might get deranged all we want castigating feminism whose meaning we misconstrued in the first place, the reality, for her, is that feminism is for us all, and she believes that all we need to do is be patient and tolerable enough to see it.
Christabel Eboso: Africa’s Legal Millennial
3. What is the next big thing Christabel is working on?
She likes to ‘call herself a woman of firsts’, such appellation demands that one takes up challenges in uncharted paths, doing so boldly and lighting the way enough to convince others unsure of walking down such roads, that it is possible. Her PhD is among her firsts and while she has blossomed over it for the last two years, she is highly motivated to seek clarity on matters ensuring that the future of women in governance is safe, and not just for the sake of representation or to satisfy an outlined status quo, but on merit. She longs for a time when women will pitch their elective ambitions based on the fact that they are highly qualified for the same, and not just because they want to dance to the tunes of upsetting unbalanced representation. Christabel believes that the wave is already here with us and that we just need to make it resounding. She also holds the conviction that it is possible and the same can be escalated incredibly.
4. What does she consider the millennials’ greatest strength?
She is certain you have come across the gem that is “Know your worth and add tax on it”. Well, she would say that is what millennials are. She believes millennials are not staying silent when they are oppressed, they are not dancing to the shackles of mediocrity and unfair rule. She understands that millennials speak out about the ills that ail society, and they are doing so intrepidly and loudly. She is so glad that as we come of age, millennials are taking the ‘change starts with you’ sentiments seriously.
5. Who, in the profession does she look up to, and what is Christabel currently reading?
“Well, my dreams and ambitions are a cocktail of the effort and doing of an army of women that thought of me and have continued to think of me as deserving over the years. By that I mean, they have shown unadulterated love and commitment to my success and growth”, Christabel notes.
She gives special recognition to Prof. Kameri Mbote, the living woman of her dreams. She is also forever indebted to Dr. Nkatha Kabira and Agnes Meroka for taking her with them down the isle of greatness. Any time she is filled with self-doubt, she looks at how far they have come and she knows for sure that she will get to the very end. My father, who is also a member of the profession is someone whose work ethic she admires.
Her current read is ‘The Truths We Hold: An American Journey’ by Kamala Harris, where she shares about her struggles and challenges moving up the table of men, Christal notes that this read is refreshing. She loves this particular quote from the read, “In years to come, what matters most is that we see ourselves in one another’s struggle” she is constantly reminded that even as one focuses on advocating for the plight of maligned groups or amplifying their philosophy, it is important to take keen and not to end up being an oppressor.
The PALM considers Christabel Mideva Eboso a legal millennial who has shown exceptional radiance in the field of legal practice.
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