Legal practitioners urged to put their health status first

LSK President Faith Odhiambo. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo has urged legal practitioners to take charge of their health as they uphold and defend the rights of Kenyans.

“Health is critical to our ability to fight for justice. As advocates, we must now also fight for ourselves, for our well-being, for our families and peace of mind,” said Odhiambo.

She spoke yesterday during the launch of Wakili Medicover, a dedicated health insurance scheme partnership between LSK, Octagon Africa Financial Services and Britam General Insurance Company, terming the insurance groundbreaking for advocates.

“Wakili Medicover should mark the end of the era of health-related crises among our members. This product tells every advocate: you matter,” she said.

The launch brought together leaders from the legal, financial, and insurance sectors to witness the unveiling of a medical cover tailored specifically for members of the legal profession.

Odhiambo said the cover is a major milestone in LSK’s commitment to member welfare and long-term professional sustainability. “This is a win for our members, a tangible achievement that underscores our focus on inclusion and wellness. We are determined to make this product affordable, accessible, and relevant to all advocates,” she said.

The medical insurance plan offers inpatient cover of Sh500,000 to Sh10 million per family, with free maternity, dental, and optical services.

Octagon Africa Group Chief Executive Fred Waswa affirmed the firm’s dedication to developing client-centric solutions. “Lawyers operate under immense pressure and often sacrifice their own health for their clients. Wakili Medicover was born from a deep understanding of these challenges,” he said.

Waswa said the partnership with LSK is a long-term strategic engagement to help them access to quality healthcare. “At the heart of Wakili medicover is our promise to walk the journey with advocates. This product is designed to evolve with your needs, because your health should never be compromised,” said Waswa.

Britam General Insurance CEO James Mbithi echoed the importance of tailored solutions to meet lawyers’ needs. “This collaboration addresses the realities of legal professionals, long hours, high stress, and limited time. Wakili Medicover is built to deliver value beyond the cover,” said Mbithi.