The outgoing President of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), Eric Theuri, has rallied the lawyers in the country not to shy away from speaking the truth even against the government.
Theuri, whose two-year term is ending in February next year, said lawyers are the last line of defence in a democratic country.
“As advocates, we are indeed the last line of defence and must be ready to discharge our obligation and duty to this country without fear or favour. For indeed, if we do not speak or act, there would be no one to speak for us,” he said.
On several occasions, he said, the courts declared certain Executive’s actions unconstitutional, but Kenyans have continued to see those actions being undertaken.
“The country is expecting that the law society and its membership will speak truth to power that be, and will forever be guided only by the dictates of the constitution and not what is convenient,” he said.
He added, “If we fail in that responsibility, if we fail in that obligation, then there will be no one else who will be left to speak, even for us.”
He spoke Monday evening during the Mombasa Law Society end-year dinner at Fort Jesus.
“Therefore, as we go for our holidays, as we go to recharge, let us come back as a body united and strengthened in our resolve to ensure we support the administration of justice, the rule of law, and constitutionalism,” Theuri said.
The outgoing President described his two-year tenure at the helm of LSK as peaceful, urging the members to support the next council that will be elected in February.
“We have witnessed a period of relative calm within the leadership of the LSK. We have also had moments and so many occasions to challenge and undertake our mandate,” he said.
Theuri said the work done by the LSK is extremely critical to supporting the administration of justice.
Campaigns for key posts within LSK have intensified.
The seats that are up for grabs include the LSK presidency, vice presidency, council membership, and those representing the regions at the national council.
"We will all support whichever council is in office to ensure the administration of justice does not suffer,” Theuri said.
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, who was present during the event, echoed Theuri’s call by rallying the lawyers to ensure Kenya follows the rule of law.
“No matter who we are or where we live, the rule of law affects us all. It is the foundation for communities that value justice, opportunity, and peace. We will be judged by our actions and inactions in the years to come,” Nassir said.
