Makau Mutua has rallied behind the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) in its defence of Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo, who is facing mounting criticism after accepting a presidential appointment.

Taking to his X, Mutua appreciated the MCK, adding that he had nothing else to say.

Odhiambo was appointed as Vice Chair of the 18-member Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Protests and Riots, unveiled by President William Ruto on August 25 and sworn in on September 4 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).

The panel is tasked with drafting reparations proposals for victims of state violence since 2017, a process complicated by deaths linked to demonstrations, including 63 during the 2024 Gen Z protests and 38 this year, according to Amnesty International and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.

Mutua, who chairs the panel, dismissed calls for Odhiambo’s resignation. In a post on X dated September 5, he wrote, “I saw one nondescript lawyer asking @FaithOdhiambo8 to resign from the Panel of Experts on Compensation. What has he done for any victim? Leave the Vice Chair alone. She’s serving the people.”

MCK defends appointment

The Media Council of Kenya issued a press statement on September 7, 2025, condemning what it described as “unwarranted and unjustified media attacks” on Odhiambo and activist Irungu Kang’ata. It urged the public to support their work instead of questioning their decision to serve.

The statement highlighted the risks journalists themselves have faced during protests, noting that despite evidence of attacks, no perpetrators have been convicted. It warned that pushing Odhiambo to reject the appointment was both hypocritical and harmful, as it would limit the LSK to “pure criticism” instead of playing a role in shaping governance from within.

Leaders weigh in

The appointment has split opinion across the political and legal landscape. Former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi dismissed the initiative as a “political cover-up”, while lawyer Gitobu Imanyara termed it a diversion from international scrutiny. Families of victims at the KICC have also demanded greater transparency in the panel’s work.

However, Odhiambo has received support from leaders such as Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, who said on September 7 that the LSK President was right to represent victims’ voices. Odhiambo herself pledged on September 4 to pursue “holistic justice” for victims, promising to guard the opportunity fearlessly.

The panel, described by Mutua as a historic and unprecedented initiative, now faces the challenge of delivering results in a highly polarised environment.