The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President, Faith Odhiambo, has revealed that even though she was sworn in as vice chair for President William Ruto's protest victims compensation committee, she has yet to meet with the rest of the panel, insisting that she does not work for the government.
In a statement on Thursday morning, she revealed that she would adhere to the High Court orders that suspended the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Demonstrations and Riots until a petition challenging its constitutionality is heard.
"I respect the rule of law and abide by the orders given by the High Court. I would like to emphasise that I do not work for the Government of Kenya nor the opposition; my call is to serve the people of Kenya and my learnt colleagues at the Law Society of Kenya," she declared.
As such, she relayed that she is still consulting on the matter and would keep championing victims' rights, both those who were killed or injured in the protests and those charged for exercising their rights to picket.
"To this end, I am consulting widely on this cause while keenly listening to the voices of the victims and those who still suffer in search of justice," the statement read in part.
"I know there are many Kenyans who were killed and injured, while others have been profiled and taken to court over trumped-up charges."
She added that she and society would keep calling on the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to review the terrorism charges meted out on dozens of protesters and instead focus on prosecuting police officers who shot at protesters.
Additionally, she revealed that LSK would continue offering pro bono services for victims and survivors of police brutality in the various ongoing cases across the country.
Since accepting her appointment to serve on the panel last month, Odhiambo has faced criticism from a section of both lawyers and other Kenyans who claim that assuming the government role would compromise her role as LSK President.
The calls for her resignation from LSK intensified when Advocate Levi Munyeri filed a petition seeking Odhiambo's resignation and threatening to initiate her removal if she does not step down voluntarily.
Former LSK President Nelson Havi has also joined the call for her removal, even endorsing Charles Kanjama as a possible replacement and pledging Ksh1 million for his campaign.
“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 stated on Tuesday, September 9.
In a statement moments after Odhiambo announced her stance, Amnesty International, Kenya Executive Director Irungu Houghton, who was also appointed to the committee also relayed that he had not engaged in any other meetings with the panel besides the swearing in.
"Let it be understood that apart from the swearing in, I have not participated in any meetings or activities with or for the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims in Protests and Demonstrations. I shall not do so until the High Court gives a way forward," Houghton's statement read in part.
"I continue to advocate for judicial prosecution of all parties complicit in unlawful killings, reparations for victims and non-recurrence of brutal protest policing."
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