LSK must use poll to reclaim waning glory
The 71-year-old Law Society of Kenya (LSK), a reputable bar association, heads to the poll to pick its leaders tomorrow.
While this internal democratic process could easily pass for any other private members organisation, the election for the society, with close to 14,000 strong membership of active legal minds, will certainly capture national attention.
LSK’s role, especially in the second liberation to fight for the return of multi-party democracy and against excesses of the Kanu regime in the 1980s and early 1990s, gives it an eminent place in the country’s democratic struggle. Its leaders were united, focused and stood tall for Kenyans. They sacrificed personal comfort and privileges of their elite profession to join many in the trenches to fight for the rule of law, individual and collective liberties, especially on the freedom of speech and association
Back then, the society lived true to its core values; rule of law and administration of justice, democracy and good governance. But over the years the society, like other vanguard organisations, have either vanished from the scene or taken a worrying trajectory because of internal challenges— and even wanting leadership. But it is the waning conviction for what LSK stood that has been most noticeable.
This is why tomorrow’s election is critical, coming at a time when the country, through the Building Bridges Initiative, is in the throes of trying to birth a new socio-political and economic dispensation that calls for far reaching constitutional changes. Here LSK’s unequivocal voice must be heard.
It has a chance to stake its credentials as a progressive and inclusive entity. On inclusivity and gender-balance front, the society has scored poorly, having had only one woman as its chairperson— Raychelle Omamo. Can the society redeem itself ?
Most importantly, the society must eschew ethnic, regional, political and other parochial interests to elect a leadership in a free and fair exercise that will help it reclaim its lost glory—vibrancy and openness that will make it bold enough and relevant to engage in, for instance, strengthening the rule of law in the country that is crying for independent institutions of governance such as the Judiciary and Legislature.
As the lawyers turn out for this watershed election, they must soberly introspect and grasp this chance to restore the country’s faith in elections— an issue that is and has been the bane of our country. And may the best candidate win.
