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Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has publicly criticised Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo's decision to resign from the Presidential Committee on Compensation of Victims, citing it as a sign of weak leadership.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has strongly criticised Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo for her resignation from the Presidential Committee on Compensation of Victims. In a statement released on his social media platforms on Wednesday, October 7, 2025, Senator Cherargei labelled Odhiambo's decision as indicative of weak leadership, asserting that she succumbed to public pressure against her appointment to the committee.
The committee, chaired by Professor Makau Mutua, was established to develop a framework for compensating victims of protests. Senator Cherargei, himself a member of the LSK, expressed his embarrassment and disappointment regarding Odhiambo's resignation.
President William Ruto appointed the 18-member Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Protests and Riots on August 26, 2025, through a gazette notice. The panel, co-chaired by Professor Makau Mutua and with Faith Odhiambo as Vice-Chairperson, was tasked with designing an operational framework to verify, categorise, and compensate eligible victims of demonstrations since 2017. The panel was officially sworn in on September 4, 2025, at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi.
Odhiambo's appointment to the panel generated significant debate and criticism from lawyers, activists, and the public. Critics argued that her participation compromised the LSK's independence and duplicated the mandate of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), a constitutional body responsible for investigating human rights abuses. Some legal professionals, including lawyer Levi Munyeri, called for her resignation, threatening to file a motion for her removal if she did not comply.
The panel's work faced a significant legal challenge when the High Court, on September 8, 2025, issued conservatory orders halting its operations pending the determination of a case filed by lawyer Levy Munyeri. These orders were extended on October 6, 2025, further crippling the panel's ability to carry out its mandate within its proposed 120-day tenure.
Senator Cherargei's criticism highlights a division within the legal and political spheres regarding the LSK's role and the government's initiatives. He lamented what he perceived as a lack of courage, contrasting it with the era of former LSK President Willy Mutunga. Willy Mutunga served as LSK Chairman from 1993 to 1995 and was known for his activism and role in judicial reforms, later becoming Kenya's Chief Justice.
On her part, Faith Odhiambo had previously hinted at resigning if her efforts on the panel were frustrated. In her resignation statement on Monday, October 6, 2025, she cited the limited timelines to deliver meaningful outcomes and the need to explore more effective avenues for justice, acknowledging that the court orders had effectively stopped the panel's mandate.
Odhiambo's resignation, particularly amidst ongoing court battles, risks widening the perceived gap between the executive and the LSK. The LSK has historically been a vocal advocate for the rule of law and accountability, and its independence is crucial for democratic governance. The incident underscores the delicate balance between collaboration with government initiatives and maintaining institutional autonomy.
The long-term implications of Odhiambo's resignation for the compensation of protest victims remain unclear. It is also uncertain how this event will influence the LSK's future engagement with government-led initiatives and the dynamics of its leadership.
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