LSK reclaiming lost valour when bold legal fraternity is needed

Law Society of Kenya Faith Odhiambo flanked by other society's officials address the press on May 13,2024 over flooding that caused havoc and killed hundreds. [Denish Ochieng, Standard]

The Law Society of Kenya, which is celebrating 75 years of its existence, is a professional association established by the Law Society of Kenya Act.

Section 3 of the Law Society of Kenya Ordinance, 1949, repealed by the current Act in 1992, establishes it with the mandate of advising and assisting members of the legal profession, the government and the larger public in all matters relating to administration of justice. It seeks to promote quality and robust legal practice and the rule of law and it is living up to its vision. It has over 20,000 practising advocates.

During its annual conference in Diani from 13th to 18th August, 2024, it brought together a large number of senior and young Bar members in a well organised summit with great speakers, panellists and side events.

The theme was; “Empowering Legal Excellence: Good Governance and the Rule of Law for Sustainable Development,” with artificial intelligence and use of technology crosscutting throughout the different sessions led by the illustrious Data Commissioner, Immaculate Kassait.

Side events included tracing the journey of advancing gender equality looking at the not more than two-thirds gender rule and hurdles to its implementation, with Hon Martha Karua setting its background and context in an event also graced by former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, who hoped that the constitutional amendment on implementing this rule would soon become law, finally paving the way for ensuring gender parity in elective positions.

It was preceded by a meeting of Senior Counsels and featured seasoned and celebrated honourable practitioners like the indomitable Pheroze Nowrojee who in addition to being the key note speaker at the opening ceremony, he honoured all of us by launching his book, “Practising an honourable profession,” educating all of us that the office of an advocate is a constitutional office and many other legal history and practitioners nuggets that can only come from Nowrojee.

Accompanied by his wonderful and supportive wife/companion, Villoo to whom he dedicated his book and a few others, he turned up for the conference and stayed for two full days even though he is 85 years old and a little unwell. What incredible dedication and a remarkable gift and honour to the profession!

‘Practising an honourable profession’ is a must-read as Justice George Odunga, who wrote the foreword says, for all members of the Bar, the Bench, legal scholars and students. It is a beautifully written book on the legal profession.

Other notable attendees Prof Palamagamba John A M Kabudi, Minister for Constitutional and Legal Affairs of the United Republic of Tanzania and my former supervisor at University of Dar es Salaam.

As the second day chief guest speaker, he made an incredibly informative and inciteful speech laced with incredible historical nuggets about East Africa explaining why we are indeed East Africans whose interests are intertwined and interconnected and must remain vibrantly safeguarded by all of us.

Prof Kabudi, tracing origins of good governance, underscored its greatest challenges as being abuse of power, corruption, negative ethnicity and selfishness to which Karua added violations of human rights and failure to respect rule of law.

The vibrancy of LSK was commended especially under the leadership of Faith Mony Odhiambo and her team who have, in a short period of time revitalised and re-energised the LSK to the level of interesting most senior lawyers who had for some time taken a back seat. The leadership of Odhiambo and her team in trying and difficult times has been stoic and members appreciated that.

The members also pledged to do more and better to revitalise the society to ensure all members are actively engaged and involved in ensuring respect of the rule of law, good governance for sustainable development and in dealing with corruption, abuse of power, violations of human rights and discrimination.

The issues raised by the recent Gen Zs revolution were also canvassed and members committed to continue engaging and ensuring the young lives lost to awaken all of us, were not in vain. The spirit of LSK annual conference and momentum set by members must not fizzle between now and the next annual conference.