City lawyer Peter Wanyama has said former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) council member Omwanza Ombati is the most suitable candidate for LSK Presidential position during the forthcoming polls set for March.
Omwanza is one of the five lawyers cleared to contest the seat to replace Nelson Havi who has been the face of LSK for the past two years with his tenure having ended prematurely last month.
95 % of the candidates for LSK President have not argued a single case at the Supreme Court but want to lead the LSK. I urge advocates to vote for Omwanza Ombati. Because under the LSK the President is supposed to have qualifications similar to a judge of the Supreme Court. We need to redeem the institutional prestige of the LSK by electing the best candidate,” he said.
The five cleared to seek the LSK presidency are Nairobi branch chair Eric Theuri, his Coast counterpart Mathew Nyabena, former LSK vice-president Caroline Kamende, and former LSK council members Ombati and Bernhard Kipkoech whom Wanyama tipped for ascending to the seat of LSK appex in the future.
“My friend Bernard Ng’etich Kipkoech is a tough lawyer based in Nakuru. He is behind the precedent setting Mumo Matemu decision of the Court of Appeal, which has been cited with approval by many judges and constitutional scholars studying governance and separation of powers in Kenya. He stands a better chance to be President of LSK after Omwanza’s tenure, but he will face stiff opposition from many folks, probably including myself.” added Wanyama.
LSK elections board said the five lawyers have satisfied all the requirements for election as the society’s president and will battle it out on March 10.
“Having received and scrutinised the nomination papers submitted by members seeking the various positions, we are satisfied that they meet the requirements and the elections board has approved their applications to vie,” said the elections board.
According to LSK election rules, a person seeking the presidency must be a member or former member of the LSK Council or a lawyer who is qualified to be appointed as a Supreme Court judge with at least 15 years of experience in legal practice.
By Fred Azelwa.