The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has achieved a record-breaking efficiency milestone, issuing practicing certificates to 90% of compliant lawyers by the end of January 2026. This dramatic turnaround, driven by a new digital Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, marks the end of an era defined by bureaucratic delays and professional frustration for the country’s legal practitioners.

For years, the ritual of obtaining a Practicing Certificate (PC) was a source of angst for Kenyan advocates, with delays often stretching into the second quarter of the year, leaving lawyers technically unable to represent clients. The 2026 cycle, however, has rewritten the script. LSK President Faith Odhiambo hailed the achievement as a vindication of the society’s "digital-first" strategy. "We have moved from a society of files and stamps to a society of clicks and efficiency," she noted.

The Engine of Change

The new ERP system, rolled out in late 2025, integrated the CPD (Continuing Professional Development) compliance checks, indemnity cover verification, and payment gateways into a single automated workflow. Previously, these were disjointed processes prone to human error and corruption.

• Immediate Verification: The system now instantly verifies if a lawyer has attained the mandatory CPD units. In the past, this required manual tallying of attendance sheets from seminars.
• The 10% Gap: The Society notes that the remaining 10% are largely cases with pending disciplinary issues or incomplete indemnity covers. The "clean" files have been cleared, eliminating the collective punishment where the efficient suffered alongside the non-compliant.

Impact on the Courts

The ripple effect of this efficiency is being felt in the Judiciary. In previous years, the first quarter saw numerous adjournments as lawyers pleaded for time to regularize their status. With 90% of the bar now licensed to practice before February, the courts can expect fewer administrative delays. This seamless transition is critical for a judicial system already battling a massive case backlog.

However, challenges remain. Some older practitioners have struggled with the digital migration, citing technical glitches in the initial rollout. The LSK Secretariat has responded by setting up a dedicated "Tech Support Desk" at the Gitanga Road headquarters, acknowledging that while the system is digital, the transition must be human-centric.

As the legal year kicks off in earnest, the LSK has set a new benchmark for professional bodies in Kenya. The message is clear: in 2026, administrative incompetence is no longer a defense.