A vicious row has erupted in the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) North Rift branch, where a section of lawyers is seeking to remove all current officials.
Some of the lawyers, led by Michael Wabomba Masinde, have filed a motion seeking to dissolve the branch council during a Special General Meeting (SGM) scheduled for August 1, 2025.
Lawyer Masinde has already notified LSK president Faith Odhiambo of the intention to move the motion, which could lead to the dissolution of the branch council.
The branch council is headed by Eldoret-based lawyer Henry Kenei as Chairman, while Claire Karuga is the Branch Secretary and Marion Rotich serves as Treasurer.
General members of the branch council include Moses Rotich, Margaret Kinyua, Felix Mukabane, Nickson Keter, Geoffrey Lowesikou, Shadrack Munyesu, and In-house Representative Geoffrey Owino.
Kenei and Karuga did not respond to requests from The Star via phone and text messages to comment on the motion against them.
The LSK branch has over 1,000 members who are lawyers operating in Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Trans Nzoia, West Pokot, Nandi, and Turkana counties.
In the dissolution motion, Masinde said they want the council dissolved on several grounds, which he has listed, including alleged loss of members’ confidence.
“A caretaker council of seven members drawn from advocates of proven integrity and good standing be appointed by the SGM,” Masinde said in his notice.
In the notice, also addressed to the branch council, Masinde wants the caretaker council to oversee the affairs of the society on an interim basis.
The interim council will also facilitate an independent forensic audit of the society’s financial records and report to members within 45 days.
“They will also organise and conduct elections for a new council within 60 days from the date of the dissolution,” Masinde said.
He said the outgoing council members will be required to hand over all records, accounts, and assets to the caretaker council within seven days upon dissolution.
Masinde said the motion of dissolution is based on the grounds that the LSK is mandated under the LSK Act and its regulations to act in the best interest of members, ensure accountability, and promote transparency in the management of the society’s affairs.
Masinde claims the council has demonstrated unresponsiveness to concerns raised by members which touch on financial audits, accountability, and transparency.
“Under the LSK Act and its regulations, members have the right to demand accountability, transparency, and removal of office bearers,” Masinde said in his notice dated July 21, 2025.
Odhiambo confirmed that they had received the notice but noted that the issue was an internal affair of the branch.
“The members in that region have the right to carry out their own activities, and they are best placed to comment on the matter,” she said.
