Controversy is looming at the Law Society of Kenya over the appointment of its Chief Executive Officer.
A letter by council member Dennis Mosota to president Erick Mutua accuses vice president Lilian Omondi and council member Jennifer Shamallah of trying to sabotage the process.
Chief executive Apollo Mboya, who is expected to leave office in February after serving his term, has also been sucked into the controversy.
“The design by a section of the council and the outgoing CEO to put in place a person in the seat of the Secretary/ CEO through an obscure process is self- serving and it is despicable beyond belief,” the letter reads.
Omondi, who has been accused of favouring Jemimah Keli despite being ranked at position two, dismissed the allegations as false.
“The council is yet to have its meeting in February as has been directed by the president in a message to me. That is the correct position,” she said on Thursday.
Mutua did not respond to confirm or deny this. Mboya and Shamallah were equally unavailable for comments.
The three have been accused of trying to install an individual of their choice despite the selection process.
“Unless we handle this issue in a transparent and procedural manner, it is likely to degenerate into a controversy of the proportions that may potentially underscore and nourish the current divisions in the society, and break the council right in the middle,” Mosota said.
The controversy emerged after the council concluded the interview process in which Mercy Wambua, who has been deputy CEO, scored 801.5 points, more than any other candidates for the post.
“I cannot believe this. Jemimah did so well... but anyway, it was obvious that it was all planned from the word go... it is so obvious. How could you give that kind of mark to her...” Shamallah allegedly said.
Mosota also claimed that Omondi said in an interjection: “People think they have won, but they will see. They will fail.”
Keli scored 738 points in the process who other candidates were Beatrice Chelang'at (576), Ronald Oyagi (573), Grace Katasi (559), Justus Wabuyabo (538) and Damaris Ayuka (444.5).
The results put Wambua in a position to succeed Mboya but the wrangles may force the council to restart the process if those allegedly against her have their way.