Tensions flared in Mombasa as candidates eyeing the top seats at the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) faced off in a public debate that laid bare deep divisions over leadership, member welfare and the future of the profession.
The debate, hosted by the Mombasa Law Society, came just days before the February 19 elections and drew a packed audience of advocates keen to hear how the contenders plan to steer the Society through a difficult period.
At the centre of the exchanges was a familiar question: is LSK doing enough for its members?
‘Out of touch with practising lawyers’
Presidential aspirant Peter Wanyama said many advocates felt abandoned, arguing that the Society had drifted away from the everyday struggles of practising lawyers.
“Welfare is weak and engagement is poor. Many advocates feel disconnected and unsupported,” Wanyama told the forum.
He said leadership needed to go beyond routine administration and focus on practical help, including skills training and support in new areas of practice. He pledged stronger branch operations and more backing for regions such as Mombasa.
Wanyama added that the legal profession was changing fast and warned that lawyers risked being left behind.
“Technology, artificial intelligence and climate-related disputes are already shaping legal work. LSK must prepare its members for that reality,” he said.
Defence of the current leadership
LSK Vice President Mwaura Kabata, who is also running for president, pushed back strongly against claims of stagnation.
He said the Society had recorded steady institutional growth and that experience within LSK structures mattered, especially with major challenges ahead.
“I have served on several committees and in senior leadership. That institutional knowledge is critical as we approach the 2027 General Election and major projects like Wakili Towers,” Kabata said.
Kabata also pointed to improved finances, saying LSK’s investment portfolio had grown over the past three years under the current council.
Call for senior, respected leadership
Senior Counsel Charles Kanjama, another presidential contender, struck a different tone, describing the election as a response to rising frustration within the profession.
“The space for legal practice is shrinking, yet advocates feel unheard,” he said.
Kanjama argued that LSK needed leaders with stature and experience who could command respect from the Judiciary and other institutions.
“You cannot lead this Society effectively without prior involvement in its governance,” he warned, urging members to be cautious about handing over leadership to newcomers.
Justice system bottlenecks under scrutiny
Questions on stalled court projects also sparked sharp exchanges, with candidates pressed on long-running delays, including the Mombasa Law Courts.
Kanjama called for accountability, saying failed procurement processes had led to wasted public funds.
Kabata raised concerns about how donor and government money had been managed, calling for scrutiny to determine whether inefficiency or misconduct was to blame.
Wanyama took a more measured view, saying LSK’s strength lay in sustained institutional pressure rather than direct intervention.
“Our role is structured engagement with the Chief Justice and other offices. That is how you get results,” he said.
Vice-presidential race
In the deputy presidency debate, candidates focused on public interest litigation, internal reforms and the role of regional branches.
Teresia Wavinya defended the council’s record, saying LSK had worked with civil society groups during public interest cases linked to the 2024 protests.
Her rivals, Debra Ajwang’ and Elizabeth Wanjeri, promised stronger coordination between the national office, branches and disciplinary bodies, and a more active approach to public interest cases.
As voting day nears, the debate highlighted a profession at a crossroads, balancing internal welfare concerns with growing external pressures.