NAIROBI, Kenya – Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo has responded to mounting calls for her resignation, clarifying her position on her controversial appointment to President William Ruto’s panel on compensation for victims of demonstrations.
In a statement released under the title “Duty and Loyalty: A Call to Serve”, Odhiambo insisted that she remains committed to defending the Constitution and the independence of the legal profession, while stressing that she has not actively participated in the panel’s work since its inauguration.
“Let it be clear that apart from the swearing in, I have not participated in any meetings or engagements with or for the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Demonstrations and Riots,” she said.
Odhiambo added that she is “consulting widely” before making any decision on her next steps, while reaffirming her loyalty to the LSK and the Kenyan people.
“I do not work for the Government of Kenya nor the opposition; my call is to serve the people of Kenya and my learned colleagues at the Law Society of Kenya,” she stated.
Duty and Loyalty: A Call to ServeIt is my solemn patriotic duty and obligation to respect, uphold, and defend the Constitution of Kenya. Let it be clear that apart from the swearing in, I have not participated in any meetings or engagements with or for the Panel of Experts on
Her remarks come after pressure from some lawyers and civil society groups who argued that her inclusion in the taskforce compromised the independence of the LSK.
Critics have accused the government of using the panel to sanitise security agencies over their handling of protests, which have left dozens dead and many injured.
Odhiambo, however, reiterated her stance against police brutality, urging the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to drop what she described as “trumped-up terrorism charges” against peaceful protesters and instead pursue rogue officers.
“I maintain the call to the ODPP to review the trumped-up terrorism charges against peaceful protesters and shift focus on prosecuting the trigger-happy officers who were caught on camera using excessive force to undermine the right to freedom of assembly,” she said.
She further noted that the LSK will continue to provide pro bono legal aid to victims and survivors of police violence across the country.
The statement appears aimed at calming unrest within the legal fraternity as Odhiambo navigates a sensitive moment that could define her leadership at the helm of the society.
