Former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Nelson Havi has pledged Ksh1 million to support Senior Counsel Charles Kanjama as the new Law Society of Kenya President, succeeding Faith Odhiambo.
In a post released on Tuesday, September 9, Havi urged law practitioners to encourage Kanjama to run for LSK President, as calls grow for Odhiambo to resign from her post after accepting a government appointment.
Havi also urged his colleagues in the legal profession to fund Kanjama’s campaign, even as Odhiambo’s tenure is set to expire next year.
Aside from the Ksh1 million pledge, Havi also promised to donate a vehicle, as well as his networks and agents.
“Serious practitioners of law should prevail upon Charles Kanjama SC to run for LSK President. They should also fund his campaign. On my part, I will donate a vehicle and Kshs 1,000,000, my networks and agents,” Havi noted.
While wading into the debate surrounding Odhiambo and her LSK Presidency, Havi joined the calls seeking Odhiambo's resignation, describing her as an agent of the State.
Faith Odhiambo's Panel Troubles
Odhiambo was appointed as the co-chair of a special Panel of Experts to facilitate the compensation of victims of protests by President William Ruto.
In an announcement published in a Gazette Notice on Tuesday, August 26, Ruto noted that the panel will seek to implement the Proclamation by establishing a comprehensive framework for identifying, verifying and supporting affected individuals.
However, her appointment drew backlash, with critics arguing that she had betrayed Kenyans by accepting a job from the same government that she had constantly criticised.
Others argued that it was unconstitutional, contending that Odhiambo had violated the Constitution and the statutes of the LSK in accepting the position.
Lawyer Levi Munyeri, while vowing to initiate her removal as LSK boss, asserted that the Panel duplicated the functions of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), thus causing the LSK boss to violate the law.
Despite the clamour for her to resign, Odhiambo dismissed claims that she had betrayed Kenyans. She maintained that her decision was informed by a duty to safeguard justice and the rule of law while ensuring that victims of protests receive a fair hearing
Odhiambo assured Kenyans that she would not let them down, adding that the deaths and injuries suffered during the protests must never be in vain. She promised to remain accountable to the people and to consistently update them on the progress of the panel’s work.
The Panel’s overall chair, Makau Mutua, defended Odhiambo’s inclusion, urging Kenyans to stop verbal attacks directed towards Odhiambo.
About Kanjama
Meanwhile, Kanjama is yet to comment on his endorsement to run for the LSK Presidency. Kanjama is a prominent Kenyan lawyer and Senior Counsel with over two decades of experience. He is the Managing Partner and head of the Disputes Department at Muma & Kanjama Advocates.
His areas of expertise include commercial law, tax law, constitutional law and legal ethics. He is an avid litigator who practises in various courts and tribunals in Kenya. Beyond his law practice, he is also a certified professional mediator, a Certified Secretary and a Certified Public Accountant.
Kanjama has held significant leadership positions in the legal community, including serving as the inaugural Chair of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Nairobi Branch from 2016 to 2020. He is also the current chairman of the Kenya Christian Professionals Forum (KCPF), an organisation that champions family values.
Additionally, he has served as legal counsel in several notable assignments, including representing the Judges and Magistrates Vetting Board and the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) in high-profile cases.
