Odhiambo vows to defend rule of law as LSK president
Nairobi
By
Brian Otieno
| Jan 09, 2024
Law Society of Kenya (LSK) vice president Faith Odhiambo has pledged to uphold the rule of law and democracy if she wins the lawyer's body presidency.
Ms Odhiambo, who is vying to succeed LSK president Eric Theuri in the elections scheduled for next month, said she would lead a "stable, responsive, fearless, and progressive" bar that cares for both the clients and the advocates.
"I ask advocates to support me so that we defend the rule of law with alacrity and fierceness of our conviction. We have a duty to safeguard our democracy from abuse and erosion," she said on Tuesday as she submitted her nomination papers for the LSK presidency.
She also criticised President William Ruto for his persistent attacks on the Judiciary, saying it was "unfortunate" that he was making vague allegations of corruption instead of providing evidence.
"It is unfortunate that the president, even as we speak today and after so much outcry from the public, still continues to lambast the judiciary, citing judges and their enablers that he cannot name. He has the instruments that can ensure proper evidence is pieced together to ensure those unethical judicial officers are removed from the corridors of our courts," she said.
Ms Odhiambo is among the five candidates contesting for the LSK presidency in the polls slated for February 22, when the current council's two-year term expires.
The other candidates are former vice president Carolyne Kamende, council member Njoki Mboce and lawyers Peter Wanyama and Bernard Ng'etich.
"On my candidature, today I make it official that I'm in this race to win it, and do so in a credible and fair space. I promise my opponents a fair contest, issue-based campaign and robust discourse that will enrich our society," Ms Odhiambo said.
The LSK has been instrumental in pushing for pro-democracy reforms and protecting public interest. It also offers checks and balances to the government, initiating public litigation in cases of potential breach of the law.