Inside The Secret Martial Arts Life of PLO Lumumba

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Inside The Secret Martial Arts Life of PLO Lumumba

Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba (PLO Lumumba)

Prof. PLO Lumumba, born Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba, is a renowned Kenyan lawyer, Pan-Africanist, and academic celebrated for his powerful advocacy for good governance, human rights, and African unity.

He is known for his roles as former Director of Kenya’s Anti-Corruption Commission and Kenya School of Law, and his impactful speeches on African development.

PLO holds multiple law degrees, including a PhD, and has served in significant roles, such as serving as Secretary to Kenya’s Constitution Review Commission, while also founding organizations like the PLO Lumumba Foundation to promote African self-reliance.

While he is known for his vocabulary and eloquence, Lumumba is physically formidable.

He has practiced martial arts since 1975 and holds a third-dan black belt in Shotokan karate, viewing it as a philosophy of inner peace and discipline rather than violence. 

PLO has been working on a new African martial art called Nabuntu, which blends elements of Kung Fu, Kempo, and Ju-jitsu.

Early Life and Educational Background

PLO was born on July 17, 1962, and raised in Usenge village near Lake Victoria, and later in Nairobi. His name was inspired by the Congolese independence leader Patrice Emery Lumumba, an association that influenced his lifelong commitment to Pan-Africanism.

He is the firstborn child of Reverend N.H.O. Mahondo and Jane Ongira Thoma.

At 13 years, he was deeply impressed by the eloquence of lawyer Samuel Ogango, which stirred his ambition to master the English language and pursue a legal career.

Also Read: Joseph Sergon Profile: 24 Years on the Bench and a Vision for Kenya’s Judiciary

He attended Dr. Krapf Primary School, Maringo in Nairobi, and Usenge Primary School, completing his Certificate of Primary Education (CPE) at St. Patrick Primary School in Nairobi.

For high school studies, he attended Pumwani Secondary School for his “O” levels and completed his “A” levels at Ambira High School in 1979.

Lumumba later joined the University of Nairobi, earning his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) in 1985 and a Master of Laws (LLM) in 1989.

He obtained a PhD in Law (LLD) in 1994 from Ghent University in Belgium, specializing in the Laws of the Sea.

He trained in Human Rights at the Raoul Wallenberg Institute, University of Lund, Sweden.

PLO also studied International Humanitarian Law in Geneva, Switzerland, and at the University of London’s Institute of Advanced Legal Studies.

He is recognised as a Fellow of the Institute of Certified Public Secretaries of Kenya (FCPS-K) and the Kenya Institute of Management (FKIM).

Lumumba has received honorary doctorates from several institutions, including the University of Cape Coast in Ghana and Bells University of Technology in Nigeria.

Career and Achievements

In his legal career, he is an Advocate of the High Courts, former Director of the Kenya School of Law, and a respected legal scholar.

He worked as a Former Director of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC/EACC).

PLO Lumumba served as Secretary to the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission (CKRC), championing constitutional reforms.

Also Read: Profile of Kipruto Arap Kirwa, Kibaki’s Former Minister Who Refused to Work with Ruto

As a Pan-African Leader, he is the Founder of the PLO Lumumba Foundation, which promotes African leadership and development, and is a frequent speaker on African issues.

PLO Lumumba’s Family Background

The philosopher is a family man who has been married to Celestine Lumumba for over 35 years, and the couple has two daughters.

While he occasionally mentions them in interviews regarding the future of African youth, they largely stay out of the public eye to maintain their privacy.

The family resides in Nairobi.

Net Worth

When the details remain private, 2024 estimates suggest his net worth is approximately $5 million, accumulated from ;

• Senior Counsel and Private Practice- as an Advocate of the High Courts of Kenya and Tanzania, he is the lead solicitor at Lumumba & Lumumba Associates in Nairobi, a major source of legal income.
• High-Profile Public Services, where he held several lucrative government positions, his anti-corruption role alone having been reported to be a Sh2.5 million a month job at the time of his appointment.
• Academic Career, having held numerous teaching and deanship positions at universities in Kenya and internationally, including the University of Nairobi, USIU Africa, and Kabarak University.
• Public Speaking and Consultancy- Lumumba is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker who has also consulted for international agencies like the World Bank and USAID.
• Author and Media Host- he has authored over 12 books on law and politics, earning royalties.

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This post Inside The Secret Martial Arts Life of PLO Lumumba first appeared on The Kenya Times ~ Trending, Breaking News and Videos and is written by Immaculate Ndinda