Willis Otieno raises fears about attempts to capture LSK ahead of elections
By Faith Lagat, February 8, 2026Lawyer Willis Otieno has raised concerns over attempts to capture the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) ahead of its presidential election, describing the contest as a critical battle for constitutionalism and institutional independence.
In a series of posts on X on Sunday, February 8, 2026, Otieno urged Kenyans to pay close attention to the race, warning that powerful interests are seeking to install compliant leadership in the professional body.
“Do not be deceived into thinking the Law Society of Kenya election is a small lawyers’ tea party. This is a battlefield for the soul of constitutionalism,” he wrote.
“Because make no mistake, there is an aggressive, calculated push to capture the Bar,” he added.
Importance of an independent LSK
Otieno emphasised that an independent LSK serves as a vital check on executive power, capable of challenging state excesses through litigation.
He warned that a compromised society would fail its citizens by issuing weak statements on rights violations, ignoring abductions, and avoiding confrontation with authority.
Directly referencing President William Ruto, he said: “Ruto cannot take over the Society through backdoor influence and expect Kenyans to clap. The LSK is not an annex of State House. It is not a department of government. It is supposed to be the legal firewall against executive excess.”
He further cautioned that captured institutions lose their ability to protect the public, turning the legal profession from watchdog to “lapdog.” “Once the Bar falls, the citizen stands naked before power,” Otieno added.
Call for vigilance ahead of voting
Otieno highlighted that the election carries national consequences beyond the legal fraternity.
“The LSK is not a social club. It is the moral and legal shield that stands between citizens and State excess,” he said, urging Kenyans to scrutinise candidates’ records on defending constitutionalism and resisting state impunity.
He also questioned campaign tactics used by some aspirants, asking: “Why would an Advocate seeking the office of LSK President sponsor hashtags on X run by people who are not even members of the Bar?”
He criticised reliance on non-members to generate online momentum, describing the LSK as a professional body rooted in jurisprudence, not a “popularity contest” or “hashtag Olympics.”
The upcoming LSK elections feature three main contenders: current Vice President Mwaura Kabata, former Nairobi branch chair Charles Kanjama, and previous runner-up Peter Wanyama. Voting is scheduled in the coming weeks, with campaigns intensifying across branches.
Otieno urged both lawyers and the public to interrogate candidates on their commitment to independence and principled leadership. “Institutional capture thrives on public ignorance,” he concluded.