A section of the legal fraternity is piling pressure on Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo to resign, following her decision to take up an appointment by President William Ruto.
On Friday, September 5, advocate Levi Munyeri issued a statement saying Odhiambo must step aside as LSK president after accepting to co-chair a special panel of experts tasked with fast-tracking compensation for victims of protests.
Munyeri accused her of breaching both the Constitution and the LSK statutes, insisting that the panel’s role overlaps with the mandate of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).
According to him, KNCHR already has the responsibility of investigating human rights violations and recommending redress.
“It is a personal decision for Faith Odhiambo to serve Ruto in an unconstitutional Panel of Experts. However, she must resign as the President of LSK, failure to which we will file an urgent motion to eject her,” Munyeri said.
He further argued that Odhiambo’s move compromises the independence of the LSK and presents a conflict of interest.
“By purporting to serve as the LSK President and President Ruto’s appointee, you have compromised the competencies of the LSK to perform its functions under Section 4 of the LSK Act,” he added.
Munyeri reminded Odhiambo of her earlier stance in July 2024, when she turned down a government appointment to a taskforce on public debt, citing unconstitutionality. He said she should have taken a similar position this time.
The criticism comes amid a heated debate in legal and public circles over her appointment.
On Thursday, Faith Odhiambo defended her decision, saying she had chosen a “bold but unpopular” path in the interest of justice and accountability.
She maintained that her focus is on victims of the recent protests, stressing that their suffering and loss of life should not be in vain.
“Some of my colleagues in the legal profession may not like this move, and thousands of Kenyans have voiced their reservations. However, my focus will remain on the victims,” Faith said.
Odhiambo assured the public that she will remain transparent and accountable as the panel begins its work.