LSK council faces rebellion from members as claims of State meddling emerge

Kenya: A group of lawyers now wants to send top officials of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) home as wrangles over a proposed Sh1.2 billion investment intensify.

At the same time, there were fresh claims that the Jubilee administration is meddling in the society's affairs.

Although the wars began with a dispute over a decision by the LSK council to construct an International Arbitration Centre (IAC) at an estimated cost of Sh1.2 billion, some of those opposed to the project now want to send the entire council home on claims of graft.

A lawyer has already filed a petition seeking to oust LSK President Eric Mutua, Vice Chair Renee Omondi, Secretary Apollo Mboya and the other ten council members for alleged corruption, with another group filing a case in court seeking to stop the project.

In a spirited move to overhaul the council, lawyer Alex Gatundu has filed a notice with LSK, seeking to introduce a new agenda to the lawyers' annual general meeting slated for March 21, to have the entire council step down.

Those opposed to the current leadership are protesting a decision made by the council to levy a fee of Sh39,000 on every advocate towards the construction of the IAC. The group has opened a Facebook page - Lawyers for Lawyers - which they are using to mobilise support.

In the notice dated February 27, Mr Gatundu also wants the AGM to appoint a caretaker committee to run LSK and pass a resolution to invite the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to investigate alleged misuse of resources in the procurement .

Other than Gatundu, other lawyers involved are Eric Ng'eno, Jasper Mbiuki, Faith Waigwa, Edwin Sifuna and Jacqueline Manani.

Mr Mbiuki works at the Office of the President while Mr Ng'eno works at State House, Ms Manani is a State counsel attached to Public Service Commission while Ms Waigwa who unsuccessful contested for the position of LSK vice chair was the chairperson of the Jubilee Political Parties Tribunal.

Yesterday, Ng'eno dismissed the Jubilee meddling claims, saying they were meant to divert attention from the real issue of alleged corruption, mismanagement, nepotism and partisan management of the society's affairs.

"What we are looking for is accountability and people now should stop bringing in issues of a CORD vs. Jubilee tug of war," he said.

Contacted for comment on the move to send home all council members, Mr Mutua said many issues raised are before the courts and cannot be the subject of discussion at the AGM.

He also pointed out that the law is specific on the steps that a member is required to take to remove a council. The steps have not been followed.

"A notice issue must be directed at each council member giving him or her an opportunity to respond. This has not been done," Mutua said.

During the Kanu regime, LSK was accused of being an opposition sympathiser, claims which are now re-emerging.

"LSK is behaving like a youth wing of CORD/ODM and that's why we want them out so that a more neutral team is appointed," Ng'eno, who is a senior director with the Presidential Strategic Communication Unit (PSCU) said.

However, lawyer Harun Ndubi yesterday said by virtue of its position, those in Government may always perceive the society as partisan yet that may not be the case.

"Not everyone will be comfortable with LSK's position on issues of governance and that's why they will raise those issues of being partisan," Mr Ndubi added.