SOUTH SAUDAN: From Refugee Camp To High Court Of Kenya – Story Of Deng Chol, South Sudanese Lawyer

By Deborah Akur chol, South Sudan 

South Sudanese lawyer William Deng, a 30-year-old man, has shattered obstacles by transforming his childhood dreams into the reality of becoming a lawyer.

Rising from the challenges of growing from a war zone to becoming an advocate at the Kenyan High Court, Deng’s story remains inspirational.

His path to this achievement was fraught with difficulties after losing his mother in 2010 when the village was invaded and attacked by rebels from the Nuer community.

The incident happened when Deng was in his junior school, and this distorted his academic pursuit.

Struggling with depression, he relied on the support from relatives who took him in after they ran for asylum in Kakuma refugee camp due to the civil war in Sudan.

The family provided him with food and shelter, enabling him to attend basic schools where he ultimately completed his high school education.

Realizing that overcoming his circumstances would require additional effort, Deng diligently sought scholarships, eventually securing the DAFI scholarship, which funded his law studies at Moi University in Kenya.

Deng later continued his legal education at the Kenya School of Law, graduating alongside notable figures, including Babu Owino.

Recently, on 23rd May 2024, the young lawyer officially got endorsed at the High Court of Kenya as an advocate.