He didnt emerge from out of nowhere. In 1990s he was one Moi and judiciary biggest critics. He has been judiciary critic from day one. During our time in campus - he was Law dean at kenya school of law - young somali lawyer from harvard - and was popular.
Big break came with Kiraitu Judicial clean up - a fellow Moi critic who'd been to harvard. Him having been greatest critic was basically allowed to choose new judges.
He quit academia to practise law - with new judges endearing to him and old one scared of him. This is also the time somali new money need legal services - the man was now very wealthy from big gov deals and somali deals. From broke somali law lecturer - he was now a billionaire.
Come 2010 - judiciary vetting and Mutunga - another Moi critic - he got second chance to further entrench himself.
Seem to have lost favour - when he screwed up the Uhuru petition - and election was annualed. He has been out of favour since then.....back to hating judiciary day in day out