The battle for Law Society of Kenya seats enters the final stretch as various candidates intensify their campaigns.
Five lawyers have been cleared by the LSK elections board to contest the presidency on March 10.
They are Nairobi branch chair Erick Theuri, his Coast counterpart Mathew Nyabena, former LSK vice president Caroline Kamende and former LSK council members Bernard Kipkoech and Omwanza Ombati.
Lawyers Debora Ajwang’ Anditi, Boniface Akusala, David Nyamweya, and Faith Aoko Odhiambo are seeking LSK the vice-president position.
The five presidential candidates seek to replace Nelson Havi whose term ended prematurely after being ousted by the branch caucus for failing to comply with a court order that required him to call a meeting of the society’s council.
During his reign, the LSK was marred with leadership wrangles.
The elections will be conducted by the IEBC in various High Court stations across the country. Seven female candidates are seeking to be the lawyers’ representative at the Judicial Service Commission.
They are Jacqueline Ingutiah, Julie Soweto, Christine Kipsang, Anna Cherono, Jane Nyaboke, Mercy Otieno and Christine Kawira.
LSK has not had a female representative at the JSC since Mercy Deche’s tenure ended in 2020. The effort to replace her was stopped by the High Court.
The seat is a lucrative position as it puts commissioners at the helm of the Judiciary.
The commission makes decisions on the appointment of judges, approving the Judiciary budget, and disciplining errant judicial officers.
On Friday, the candidates took their campaigns to Kisumu and Kisii.
During a debate in Kisumu on Friday, Ingutiah said she was the best candidate for the JSC seat.
She pledged to advance meaningful and responsive representation, champion judicial independence, enhance accountability and transform service delivery.
Top on the agenda, Ingutiah said will also be to fight corruption and enhance service delivery.
She distanced herself from any support from politicians saying her campaigns were being funded by colleagues, friends and family members.
“Politicians are our clients and when they pay for our services then that is rightfully earned money,” Ingutiah said.
Kipsang promised to enhance access to justice through improved physical and human capacity and strengthened communication cooperation with the justice chain.
She plans to guard the reputation and independence of the Judiciary and the JSC by improving media relationships and strengthening systems for integrity and accountability.
“I will strengthen the appreciation and understanding of the strategic role of the commission among internal and external stakeholders,” Kipsang said.
She looks towards being responsive to people's needs and aspirations on good practice management of human resources.
Soweto championed for a clear voice for the bar, war on corruption, enhanced service delivery,accountability and integrity at the judicial level.
Nyabena pledged to unite LSK members by involving them in the affairs of the society, bringing on board former presidents as their experience will benefit the society.
He plans to maintain robust public interest litigation and intervene in law reform and track bills that affect practice and rule of law.
He promised to ensure equitable inclusion of young and senior lawyers in all council appointments as well as equitable distribution of pro bono work from LSK.
Kamende said she will protect the practice of law in Kenya through ensuring a conducive practice environment for all members of the bar and protect spheres of practice of law.
She targets to advance the rule of law and ensure independence, accountability and transparency in the LSK.
“I plan to increase public understanding of and respect for the rule of law, the legal process, and the role of the legal profession, hold the government and all agencies accountable under the law," Kamende said.
"I will defend the constitution and preserve the independence of the legal profession and judiciary.”
LSK members will also elect members of the LSK council comprising a general member of 25 years experience, general member representative, upcountry representative, Coast region representative, and Nairobi representative.
About 20,000 lawyers are expected to vote in the forthcoming elections.
Lawyers Tom Kopere, Ntabo Omosa Mogambi, and Richard Onsongo will contest for the general membership with 25 years experience having been cleared.
A total of 11 candidates namely Chysostom Akhaabi, Edinah Bosibori Arati, Irene Echakara, Kabata Mwaura, Manasses Mwangi, Gideon Kansiime, Titus Makhanu, Sylvester Muli, Mathews Okoth, Edward Oonge and Stephen Saenyi will also battle for the seat.
Seven lawyers vying for upcountry representative are Byron Menezes, Vincent Githaiga, Lindah Kiome, Peter Mbeche, Justus Mutia and Paul Ogendi and Michael Nyongesa.
Those seeking to be Coast representative are Linda Riziki, Duncan Osoro, Jacqueline Waihenya and Elizabeth Wangui.
Nairobi's representative position has attracted 19 applicants having been cleared by the LSK elections board.
They include Brian Okoth, Cohen Amanya, Ashioya Biko Brian, Anthony Ochieng, Kevin Katisya, Maureen Chebet, Christine Makena, Josephine Obanda and Harriet Njoki.
Others are Solomon Gatobu, Salim Omar, Duncan Okubasu, James Githaka, Adrian Kamotho, Jane Nyabiage, Melvin Ogada, Philip Wasindu, Gabriel Ochieng and Julia Wanjiru.
Lawyers Eunice Lumallas, John Chigiti, Esther Muthoni, Kenneth Mutuma and Joel Mwangi are also seeking to be elected as the members of the Advocates Disciplinary Committee.
(Edited by Francis Wadegu)
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