LSK faults Murkomen over terror label, calls for judicial reforms

Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo during a past event. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo has criticised Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen for labelling suspects as terrorists, stating that such determinations can only be made by the courts.

Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV on Tuesday night, Odhiambo took issue with the recent arrest of human rights activists, including Boniface Mwangi, who was initially arrested under terror charges.

“It’s not Murkomen’s place to decide whether someone is a terrorist or not; that is the Judiciary’s role,” she said, calling out what she termed a breach of legal procedure. 

Odhiambo further questioned the government's double standards, alleging that police have been seen cooperating with criminal elements without facing consequences.

“We’ve seen officers walking hand in hand with goons. How many have been arrested or questioned? We are all equal under the law. Apply the same standard,” she said.

The LSK president also called for the fast-tracking of judicial reforms to ensure swift justice for victims of police brutality and other abuses. 

She proposed the establishment of special courts to deal specifically with police violations, which she said would help restore public confidence in the justice system.

“We need systems that actually work. People want to see and feel justice,” she said.

Odhiambo warned against attempts to stifle constitutional rights such as the freedom of assembly under Article 37, criticising the government’s efforts to limit civic expression.

“It’s quite a myopic view to think you can curtail guaranteed rights under the Constitution,” she noted, urging greater inclusivity and understanding, especially in light of how Kenya’s youth are choosing to engage in protest.

She concluded by urging Parliament to pass laws that enable victims to seek redress and compensation, reaffirming LSK’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and constitutional freedoms.