LSK Wrangles Unabated as New CEO Candidates Shortlisted

LSK President Nelson Havi
A file image of Law Society of Kenya President, Nelson Havi.

The Law Society of Kenya shortlisted two candidates for the position of Chief Executive Officer and Secretary on Monday, July 19.

In a public announcement published on national dailies, LSK shortlisted Mutua Ngumbau Nzioka and Josephat Mutunga Mutisya to fill the position currently held by Mercy Wambua.

Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke the LSK President Nelson Havi intimated that Nzioka and Mutisya met the required threshold: 10 years of legal practice while the third candidate, Juliette Akoth Jakalia only had nine.

LSK President Nelson Havi
Former President of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Nelson Havi in his office in Nairobi County.
File

Havi explained the recruitment of the CEO, who also doubles up as the Secretary of the Council, was in due course as the term of the current CEO expires in 2022.

He stated that this was Wambua's second and last term which is unrenewable.

"Notwithstanding the ongoing court case, the term for the current Secretary expires on February 27, 2022. We are required to recruit at least 6 months before," the LSK President reiterated.

The shortlisted candidates will be interviewed by the Council of the Law  Society of Kenya on Friday, July 23 at the boardroom of the secretariat at Gitanga Road.

The sitting LSK CEO, Mercy Wambua, faces 17 charges of gross misconduct and incompetence.

On June 26,  118 LSK members voted to send CEO Mercy Wambua on compulsory leave while 16 were opposed to it. 33 members voted physically while the others voted by raising their hands in a virtual conference.

However, all 133 members voted to have her position filled within 45 days from June 26, 2021, after a fair hearing.

Wambua was reinstated CEO in October 2021 after being suspended by Havi in September the same year over alleged gross misconduct and incompetence.

The most recent spat between the LSK President and CEO led to Havi's arrest after Wambua accused him of assaulting her when she interrupted an LSK Council meeting on July 12.

However, on July 14, High Court Judge Jairus Ngaah barred the police from arresting or charging Havi.

LSK Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mercy Wambua.
LSK Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mercy Wambua.
File
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