Former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) president Nelson Havi reignited debate over the independence of the society with a sharp statement.

Taking to his X account, on Sunday, September 7, 2025, Havi claimed that current LSK president Faith Odhiambo had effectively surrendered the society’s autonomy to the Executive, comparing her actions to those of past chairs Mutula Kilonzo and Fred Ojiambo.

“After many years since similar actions by Mutula Kilonzo and Fred Ojiambo as Chairs of LSK, Faith Odhiambo has handed over LSK to the Executive, confirming that she has all along been a State project at Gitanga Road. That has been my position since her tenure in my Council,” Havi posted.

His remarks came just days after Odhiambo was sworn in as vice chair of President William Ruto’s Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Demonstrations and Public Protests. The 18-member panel was gazetted on August 26 and tasked with designing a framework to verify, categorise, and compensate victims of past protests.

Fresh controversy engulfs LSK

Odhiambo’s decision to join the panel has attracted both political and legal fire. Lawyer Levy Munyeri has threatened to move a motion for her removal from office, arguing that her dual role undermines the LSK’s credibility.

In a letter addressed to Odhiambo, Munyeri said the panel duplicates the constitutional functions of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) as provided under Article 59 of the Constitution. He also recalled that in 2024, Odhiambo had declined a separate state appointment on grounds of unconstitutionality, questioning why she had not applied the same reasoning in this case.

Odhiambo, however, defended her position during her swearing-in. She assured members of the legal profession and the public that her participation would not compromise her duty as LSK president.

“The bloodshed of our comrades must not be in vain. This effort is victim-centred, impartial and nonpartisan,” she stated, promising to step aside if the panel lost its focus.

Lawyer Ndegwa Njiru on Sunday, September 7, 2025 also dismissed the panel as a “committee of deceit,” insisting that under Article 23 of the Constitution, only the High Court can grant relief. Other legal scholars have also questioned the panel’s authority and warned that it may set a dangerous precedent where governments compensate victims of state violence instead of addressing accountability.

MCK defends embattled president

At the same time, the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) condemned what it described as unfair attacks against Odhiambo. In a statement on Sunday, the council argued that prejudging her before she begins her work is counterproductive and undermines public trust.

“Condemning Ms Odhiambo for an anticipated failure before she has even begun her work is premature and borders on sadism,” the MCK noted, urging for fairness and restraint in media coverage.