Eight council members reject Havi’s new LSK appointments
The leadership wrangles at the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) deepened yesterday after eight council members dismiss new appointments made by embattled President Nelson Havi last week.
Havi made several new appointments, including a replacement of chief executive officer Mercy Wambua.
Havi, who has been at loggerheads with Wambua and a section of council members over his leadership style, announced appointment of Josephat Mutunga as CEO, Juliette Jakaila as the new Director Compliance and Ethics and Deputy Secretary of Council while Veronica Achieng’ was appointed as Director Practice and Standards.
The three, according to Havi, were among applicants shortlisted for the interview conducted on July 23 at the LSK headquarters at Gitanga Road, Nairobi.
But the council members who are opposed to Havi’s leadership said the appointees were strangers.
“Law Society of Kenya shall not be held liable for any actions undertaken by unauthorised persons,’’ they said.
The council members are George Omwansa, Carolyne Mutheu, Beth Michoma, Ndinda Kinyili, Bernhard Ng’etich, Faith Odhiambo and Riziki Emukule.
They maintained that Wambua, the Deputy Secretary and Director Compliance and Ethics directorate Florence Muturi, the Director Practice Standards Mary Kitonga and Geoffrey Karani (Information, Communication and Technology Programme Officer) were the lawful employees of the Law Society of Kenya and will continue to discharge their duties.
“Our attention has been drawn to reports circulating in the media alleging that there has been recruitment and appointment of new employees to the positions of Secretary/CEO, Deputy Secretary Director Compliance & Ethics Directorate and Director Practice Standards Directorate,” they said in a statement.
Court injunction
“This is to notify you that the Council of the Law Society of Kenya has NOT undertaken any recruitment and has not advertised any vacancy for any position at the LSK Secretariat and specifically for the positions of Secretary/CEO, Deputy Secretary/Director, Compliance and Ethics Directorate, Director, Practice Standards Directorate and Program Officer - Information, Communication Technology Department,” they said in a statement.
Prior to his announcement of the appointments, the Employment and Labour Relations court had halted the recruitment of the Deputy Secretary of LSK in charge of the Compliance and Ethics Directorate.
Justice Maureen Onyango issued the temporary orders pending the hearing of a petition filed by Muturi.
“The application is certified as urgent and fixed for inter partes hearing on Tuesday 27th July 2021.
In the meantime, there shall be a stay of the decision inviting applications for the position of Director of Compliance pending inter partes hearing of the application,” ruled the Judge.
Muturi sued Havi, his Deputy Caroline Kamende Daudi and nine other persons acting as caretakers of the council after she was dismissed for alleged gross misconduct.
