The gavel holds no power at the ballot box. In a dramatic scene that underscored the separation of powers and professional ethics, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula was publicly barred from voting in the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) elections, a moment of humble pie for one of the country's most powerful officials.

Wetangula, a seasoned lawyer and the third-in-command in the national hierarchy, arrived at the polling station ready to cast his vote for the next LSK President. However, he was stopped in his tracks by election officials. The reason? His status as a full-time State Officer. The confrontation, though civil, was a stark reminder that in the halls of the LSK, the Constitution reigns supreme over political rank.

The "State Officer" Dilemma

LSK Election Board Secretary Owiso Owiso was firm in his explanation. "The law is clear," Owiso stated. "One cannot be a State Officer and a practicing advocate simultaneously for the purposes of LSK voting." The rationale is to preserve the independence of the Bar. If State Officers—who are part of the Executive or Legislature—were allowed to influence the leadership of the LSK, the Society's ability to check government excesses would be compromised.

Wetangula initially sought clarification, visibly surprised by the omission of his name from the voter register. After a brief exchange where the statutes were cited, the Speaker conceded. To his credit, he did not cause a scene, accepting the decision with a wry smile before retreating. "The law is the law," he was overheard saying, a rare admission from a political class used to bending rules.

• Protecting Independence: The LSK has increasingly positioned itself as the last line of defense against government overreach. Barring state officers from voting is seen as a crucial firewall to prevent the "capture" of the society by the state.
• The message: The incident sends a powerful signal to all lawyer-politicians: you cannot have your cake and eat it too. You are either serving the state or serving the bar.

A Victory for the Rule of Law

For the rank-and-file lawyers lining up to vote, seeing the Speaker turned away was a moment of validation. It reinforced the principle that the LSK remains an autonomous body, beholden only to its members and the law, not to the heavyweights of political office. In a country where "orders from above" often dictate outcomes, this adherence to procedure was a breath of fresh air.

As the election proceeded without his vote, the message echoed across the legal fraternity: The LSK remains an exclusive club of active practitioners, and no amount of political clout can buy a ballot paper.