Kenyan lawyers go to the polls tomorrow to pick a new team to steer the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) for the next two years.
Candidates gunning for various positions wound up their campaigns with a call for an overhaul of the professional body’s leadership.
The election which will be supervised by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). The slots up for grabs, include the president and deputy, as well as two disciplinary committee members.
Lost glory
In what has been billed as “reclaiming LSK’s lost glory” election, the 14,000 lawyers will also be electing three Nairobi representatives and a general member’s representative of lawyers with more than 25 years’ experience.
The usual politics of Tanga Tanga and Kieleweke where factions allied to deputy president William Ruto and President Uhuru Kenyatta respectively, have been locked in vicious political battles is expected to play a prominent role.
In many ways, this year’s election is about to reclaiming its former glory— and tomorrow’s poll will be a decisive moment in the polarising debate on conflict of interest law by members and ongoing push for constitutional reforms.
Gender equity
For other, the election, which has seen more women eye the presidency after more than two decades, will be a test of the society’s position on gender equity.
LSK has cleared four candidates to compete for the position of president.
While outgoing President Allen Waiyaki Gichuhi, will not be defending his seat, because the LSK act bars him from seeking a second term, his deputy Harriette Chiggai wants to succeed him.
Others in the race are Maria Mbeneka, Charles Kanjama and Nelson Havi.
For the position of vice president, it is swordfight between current council members Carolyne Kamende and Eric Nyongesa.