NAIROBI, KENYA – Azimio la Umoja coalition principal and Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka on Saturday, November 1, 2025, described the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) as the nation's last hope for a “revolution,” a statement that underscores the opposition's increasing reliance on legal and constitutional avenues to challenge the Kenya Kwanza administration. His remarks position the professional body as a central battleground in the ongoing struggle over the rule of law and government accountability.

Speaking at a lawyers' consultative forum in Nairobi, Mr. Musyoka lauded the LSK for its increasingly assertive role in public interest litigation and its vocal defence of judicial independence. “When other avenues are constrained, and when the Legislature appears to be in lockstep with the Executive, the legal fraternity becomes the final bastion for the people,” Musyoka stated. “The revolution we speak of is not one of chaos, but a revolution to protect constitutionalism, to ensure accountability, and to uphold the rights of every Kenyan.”

The statement comes amidst a period of strained relations between the Judiciary and the Executive. Since 2022, the government has faced numerous legal challenges, many of which have been initiated or supported by the LSK, on issues ranging from tax legislation to public appointments. These tensions have seen senior government officials publicly criticise judicial decisions, accusing the courts of frustrating the government's development agenda.

LSK’s Resurgence as a Public Watchdog

Under the leadership of its 51st President, Faith Odhiambo, who was elected in March 2024, the LSK has adopted a more confrontational stance. The society has been at the forefront of major legal battles, including challenging controversial government policies and defending the rights of protestors. Notably, the LSK played a pivotal role in providing pro-bono legal services for hundreds of young Kenyans arrested during the anti-Finance Bill protests in mid-2024 and challenged the deployment of military forces to manage civilian demonstrations.

This activism aligns with the LSK's historical role as a key player in Kenya's democratic struggles, particularly during the push for multi-party democracy in the 1990s. Analysts suggest Musyoka's endorsement is a strategic move to galvanise the legal community and frame the opposition's political objectives within the broader, more resonant narrative of defending the 2010 Constitution.

A Fractured Political Landscape

Mr. Musyoka's comments reflect a wider opposition strategy that has shifted from mass protests, which have yielded mixed results, towards leveraging institutional checks and balances. The Azimio coalition has repeatedly accused the Executive of attempting to weaken democratic institutions, including Parliament and independent commissions, in a bid to consolidate power. These accusations have been consistently denied by the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition, which maintains its actions are within the law and aimed at fulfilling its electoral promises.

The relationship between the Executive and Judiciary has been a focal point of this conflict. The 2010 Constitution significantly strengthened judicial independence, creating a powerful Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to oversee appointments and insulate the Judiciary from political pressure. However, disputes over budget allocations and public criticism of judges have persisted, leading to a climate of mistrust. A recent joint statement by civil society organizations highlighted sustained attacks on the Judiciary as a threat to Kenya's constitutional democracy.

Implications for Governance and the Rule of Law

By anointing the LSK as the 'last hope,' the opposition is not only praising its work but also placing a significant weight of expectation on the legal body. The LSK, while mandated to uphold the rule of law, must navigate a politically charged environment carefully to maintain its non-partisan credibility. Recent government appointments involving LSK leadership have already sparked internal debate about the society's independence.

Attorney General Dorcas Oduor recently commented on the rise in public interest litigation against the state, suggesting that while it is a constitutional right, some cases are vexatious and aimed at frustrating government operations. This highlights the delicate balance between holding the government accountable and enabling effective governance.

As the country moves further from the last election, the courts and professional bodies like the LSK are set to remain critical arenas for political contestation. Mr. Musyoka's statement serves as a clear signal that the opposition views the fight for Kenya's legal and constitutional framework as the primary frontier in its oversight role. The response of both the LSK and the government will be crucial in shaping the future of judicial independence and the rule of law in the nation.