• Various candidates and senior lawyers have urged those who are yet to vote, to make haste and do so before they run out of time.
• Observing that the voting process is going on smoothly, Nairobi Senator Sifuna said it is easy to access one's polling station and called on those who are yet to vote to do so.
Image: SHARON MWENDE
Lawyers have been called upon to come out and vote so their voices can be represented.
Speaking at Milimani Law Courts on Thursday after casting their votes, various candidates and senior lawyers have urged those who are yet to vote, to make haste and do so before they run out of time.
Observing that the voting process is going on smoothly, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna said it is easy to access one's polling station and called on those who are yet to vote to do so.
"I want to encourage anyone who has not voted that they should come out and vote. There is no excuse as to why you should not vote. The LSK is a very important body," he said.
He refuted claims that some candidates are sponsored by politicians, quickly pointing out that he had not heard the rumour before the same was raised by a section of the press.
Sifuna said as a former council member, a current LSK member and the elected Senator for Nairobi, he had the right to endorse a candidate.
This, he clarified, is not because he is a politician but because he has a right to.
"For me, I was very clear from the beginning that I endorse Faith Odhiambo because I thought she is best placed to continue with the work that we are doing together," the lawyer said.
Outgoing Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Vice President Faith Odhiambo urged members to be vigilant and exercise their votes freely and fairly.
She reminded them that the leaders and representatives they choose today will determine the course of the Society for the next two years.
"These next two years mean a lot for us particularly for the rule of law to ensure that the bar of the LSK raises itself back to a good standard and to ensure that we take care of the challenges that arise with the public but also the professionals," she added.
She noted that the process has been smooth save for the concern of some members being closed out for lack of identification.
"There is the concern and challenge of some lawyers being turned away because of ID. A bit more of sensitisation would be good to ensure that anyone who comes here doesn't get disfranchised," she said.
Another LSK presidency candidate Peter Wanyama also encouraged all advocates to turn up and vote.
"It is their democratic right to elect leaders of their choice. So please come to Milimani, go to the Supreme Court and all the courts in the Republic of Kenya so that your voice can be heard," he said.
"The process is going on smoothly. All candidates have seen their agents and so at the end of the day, we are going to have free and fair elections."
He reminded various contestants to refrain from campaigning.
Also noting that the election process is both efficient and smooth, Senior Council Otiende Amollo observed the changes that have been in the LSK elections over time.
This is in terms of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) involvement which he said had made the process better.
"We introduced this idea that for better transparency we should include the IEBC but thirdly the elections have changed because now it is rigorous in terms of campaign, use of money and knowledge including regional and ethnic consideration," he said.
"Those are some of the negative things that have come but there are more positive that have come. So far it has been smooth and I want to congratulate the advocates."
The advocates are casting votes for eight posts including the LSK president, LSK vice-president, Council general member representative, LSK council up-country, Nairobi representative, and Coast representative.
They are also choosing a male representative to the Judicial Service Commission and Advocates Disciplinary Tribunal.