The outgoing Law Society of Kenya President leaves behind a digital legacy and a stern warning for her successor regarding the upcoming general election. She details the delicate dance between professional interests and public duty in a tenure defined by reform and resistance.

Faith Odhiambo does not mince her words as she clears her desk at the LSK headquarters in Nairobi. In a tenure that has been as combative as it has been transformative, the outgoing Law Society of Kenya President is issuing a clarion call to the legal fraternity. Her message is simple yet chilling: brace yourselves, for the storm of 2027 is gathering fast.

Speaking from the serene grounds of Don Bosco Utume in Karen, Odhiambo reflects on a term characterized by high-stakes litigation and the relentless pressure of public expectation. She describes her presidency as a constant balancing act, walking a tightrope between the welfare of advocates and the society’s statutory mandate to protect the rule of law. It is a burden she now passes on, but not without a manual for survival in what she predicts will be the most turbulent period in Kenya’s democratic history.

The 2027 Election Minefield

The specter of the 2027 General Election looms large over her exit interview. Odhiambo warns that the next LSK leadership will not have the luxury of a honeymoon period. The political temperatures are already rising, and the legal battles that will shape the country’s future are already being drafted in the backrooms of power. She insists that the Law Society must remain the unwavering voice of reason, standing as a bulwark against state excesses and electoral malpractice.

Her advice to her successor is stark and devoid of sugar-coating. She urges the incoming council to prepare for a rough ride, noting that the political class will stop at nothing to bend the will of the judiciary and the bar to their favor. The LSK, she argues, must be ready to intervene as amicus curiae in presidential petitions and to mobilize its membership to defend the integrity of the vote. This is not merely a professional obligation but a patriotic duty that will define the legacy of the next administration.

• The Legacy Project: Odhiambo points to the successful completion of the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system as her crowning achievement. The system is designed to streamline service delivery for members, digitizing processes that were previously bogged down by bureaucracy.
• Empowering Young Advocates: She highlights the urgent need to create new practice spaces for the ballooning number of young lawyers. With thousands entering the market annually, the traditional models of employment are collapsing, requiring innovative solutions to prevent a crisis of unemployment in the sector.
• Branch Coordination: A key reform has been the strengthening of LSK branches across the country, ensuring that the society’s presence is felt not just in Nairobi, but in every county where justice is sought.

Balancing Act and Regrets

The presidency was not without its controversies. Odhiambo admits that satisfying the dual constituency of the public and the members was her greatest challenge. When the society took a hard stance on public interest issues, members complained of neglect. When she focused on welfare, the public accused the LSK of silence. It was a dammed-if-you-do scenario that required thick skin and tactical diplomacy.

She expresses regret that some reforms could not be pushed faster, particularly regarding the welfare of young advocates who are facing an increasingly hostile economic environment. However, she leaves with her head held high, confident that the foundations she has laid will support the society through the coming storms. Her parting shot is a reminder that the LSK is the conscience of the nation, a role it cannot afford to abdicate.

"The 2027 election will test the very soul of this country," Odhiambo concludes, her eyes fixed on the horizon. "My successor must be ready to stand alone if necessary, for the sake of the rule of law. The LSK cannot afford to blink."