Former Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana has lauded Law
Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo for stepping down from the Panel
of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Demonstrations and Public Protests.
Kibwana, in a statement, described her decision as an act of
integrity and a win for Kenya’s democracy.
He commended Odhiambo for acknowledging and correcting what
he termed a “misstep,” saying her move reflected strong moral character and
leadership.
“What Faith Odhiambo has done for Kenya’s democracy and
especially for the youth will forever be etched in our history,” Kibwana said.
“Taking one wrong turn and then rectifying the misstep is
what a decent human being does. Let us be kind and forgiving. Let us focus on
the rot that needs cleaning.”
Kibwana, a seasoned lawyer and governance expert, urged
Kenyans to channel their energy toward addressing systemic corruption and
institutional decay rather than vilifying individuals who choose to make
amends.
Odhiambo’s resignation, he noted, should serve as a reminder
of the power of self-correction in public service.
“Let us focus on the rot that needs cleaning,” Kibwana
emphasized, calling for renewed accountability in national governance.
Kibwana’s remarks came after Odhiambo announced her
resignation from the state-appointed compensation panel.
Her appointment to the panel as vice chairperson followed
public criticism from sections of the legal fraternity and civil society who
viewed the panel’s establishment as questionable.
“As resilient as the resolve of the Law Society of Kenya has
been in upholding the rule of law throughout Kenya's history, especially in the
last two years, my oath of office demands that I do all it takes to preserve
such resilience from any and all adversaries and detractors,” she said.
“Accordingly, I have today handed in my formal and immediate
resignation from the position of Vice Chairperson of the Panel of Experts on
Compensation of Victims of Demonstrations and Public Protests to the Head of
Public Service.”
Odhiambo said her resignation from the Panel takes
cognisance of the crucial point at which Kenya finds itself in the quest for
full constitutional implementation and lasting reform to our democratic
context.
According to Odhiambo, the time-bound mandate of the Panel
has been stopped by the Courts, and the proposed 120-day tenure of the Panel is
likely to lapse before the matter is resolved and settled.
She said that while the clock runs down on the Panel's
lifetime, victims continue to reach out to her in total frustration over when
their requests for an audience with the Panel will be honoured.
“Unfortunately, it is not feasible to achieve the
time-sensitive milestones I undertook to achieve, and I must therefore
prioritise other avenues of responding to the plight of victims through the
other positions I hold, especially the leadership of the LSK,” she said.
“My commitment to agitate for the rights of victims remains
impregnable; I will continue to take up and prosecute matters on behalf of victims
of police excesses during demonstrations, and work towards safeguarding
holistic justice for victims.”
