Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo has addressed calls for her resignation, maintaining that her commitment to the society and its members remains unshaken.
In an interview on Tuesday, September 16, Odhiambo said she took office fully aware of the challenges facing the LSK but with a clear vision of what she wanted to achieve.
“I took on the position of the Law Society, noting the challenges that it has and my desire of where I wanted to leave the Law Society. I always come to members with my true concern to serve them, and that is the kind of person Faith will always be,” she said.
Odhiambo added that her track record and continued dedication to the role will ultimately be the measure of her leadership, not the calls for her resignation.
“Members will judge me by what I have done and the work that I continue to do. And mine is not an issue of fearing. If it’s fear, of course, there are people who never wanted me in office. There are people who have not been happy with the work that I’ve been doing.
“We have faced threats and we have faced much more, and even council members have gone through a lot this entire period since we started the work that we have been doing as the Law Society,” she added.
This comes two weeks after lawyer Levi Munyeri wrote to LSK demanding the Odhiambo’s resignation over her acceptance to serve in the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Demonstrations and Public Protests.
In a letter addressed to the LSK President on Thursday, September 4, Munyeri accused Odhiambo of violating the Constitution and the Law Society of Kenya Act by taking up the appointment.
He argued that her participation in the panel compromises the independence and statutory functions of the LSK.
Munyeri went on to list five reasons why Odhiambo’s decision was unconstitutional, beginning with duplication of roles of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).
“The Panel has duplicated the function of a constitutional creation, the Kenya National Commission on Human Commission (KNCHR) whose functions are outlined in Article 59 of the Constitution to include; to receive and investigate complaints about alleged abuses of human rights and take steps to secure appropriate redress where human rights have been violated.
“Patently, the President of LSK has taken oath to serve in a Panel of Experts that is anchored on unconstitutionality,” the letter continued.
Munyeri further cited an active case in court challenging the constitutionality of the panel.
“In HCCHRPET/E544/2025, Lempa Suiyanka vs State Law Office and 4 Others, the constitutionality of the Panel of Experts was challenged in the High Court. The pending Petition raises serious constitutional grounds that should prompt a reasonable legal mind to conclude that the panel is unconstitutional,” the letter added.
Munyeri also reminded Odhiambo that she had previously declined a government appointment on grounds of unconstitutionality.
“In July 2024, you declined the appointment by President Ruto to serve as a member of an Independent Taskforce that would audit the country’s public debt. Your reason for declining that appointment was that in your own assessment, it was unconstitutional since the mandate to conduct public audit rests with the Office of the Auditor General. In this case, you should have drawn a similar conclusion that the mandate to compensate victims of state sponsored violence rests with the KNCHR,” the letter further read.
Munyeri also questioned the involvement of Prof. Makau Mutua in the panel, claiming his role as an advisor to the President was already subject to a court case.
“Your chair in the Panel of Experts, Prof. Makau Mutua is a government employee courtesy of an unconstitutional appointment as an Advisor to the President on Constitutional Affairs. The challenge on his appointment is pending in the High Court in HCCHRPET/E275/2025 – Eliud Matindi vs State Law Office and 3 Others,” the letter added.
On Thursday, September 4, Odhiambo defended her decision to accept Ruto’s appointment as Vice Chair for the Framework for the Reparation and Compensation of Victims of Demonstrations, Public Protests, and Riots.
Speaking shortly after being sworn in, she said she has not abandoned her principals or trust placed in her by taking up the role.
“As I take up this responsibility, let it be known that I have in no way betrayed your trust. Let it be clear that access to criminal justice remains critical to me in our quest to promote and protect the rule of law as an essential element in the enjoyment of the fundamental human rights and freedoms,” she said.
