Key points:
- Faith Odhiambo leads legal rights fight
- Police brutality, abductions increase
- Calls for rule of law in Kenya
AS Kenya grapples with a surge in deadly protests and alarming reports of police abductions, one voice has emerged at the forefront of the fight for justice and accountability. Faith Odhiambo, the newly elected President of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), is leading a determined legal battle against what she describes as a rising wave of government tyranny threatening the country’s hard-won democratic values.
Odhiambo took over the leadership of LSK in February 2024, just months before mass demonstrations erupted over new tax proposals introduced by President William Ruto. The largely youth-driven protests were met with a heavy-handed police response that left over 60 people dead and dozens abducted, according to human rights organisations. Many of those targeted were vocal critics of the government, rights groups claim, and were allegedly seized by operatives from Kenya’s police, intelligence, and counterterrorism units.
A growing fear for Kenya’s democracy
Speaking to AFP, Odhiambo voiced deep concern about the erosion of Kenya’s rule of law and warned that the country’s reputation as a stable democracy in East Africa is at risk.
‘The rule of law is slowly being destroyed,’ she said. ‘Unless the government gets its act together and people have confidence in our judicial system, they will return to the streets.’
Kenya’s Constitution, widely respected by its citizens, is under strain. Odhiambo fears that continued government inaction will force citizens to abandon faith in the legal process and resort to mass demonstrations.
Demanding accountability amid a brutal crackdown
The Law Society of Kenya represents around 20,000 lawyers in the country and has historically played a crucial role in defending legal rights. In 2017, Kenya’s Supreme Court made history by annulling a presidential election—an unprecedented move on the continent. However, Odhiambo says that recent developments threaten those democratic gains.
‘Young men and women are being picked up in this country, and unless there’s pushback—particularly from the Law Society and other justice defenders—nothing gets done,’ Odhiambo explained.
Despite widespread reports of abductions, Kenyan police have repeatedly denied involvement. No officers have been charged in connection with the alleged kidnappings. Even after a government minister reportedly convinced President Ruto to intervene when his own son was allegedly abducted, no formal investigations were launched.
‘There’s no sense of accountability,’ Odhiambo said. ‘This is the same kind of tyranny that defined the Moi regime,’ she added, referring to former President Daniel arap Moi, whose government was accused of widespread human rights abuses and forced disappearances during his rule up to 2002.
Regional abductions raise alarms
Odhiambo also raised concerns about Kenya’s declining role as a safe haven for political refugees. Last year, several Turkish refugees were allegedly abducted in Nairobi and forcibly repatriated. Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye was reportedly kidnapped from the Kenyan capital and resurfaced in a Ugandan military court.
In another case, Tanzanian activist Sarungi Tsehai was abducted in broad daylight in Nairobi but was later released following swift action by Odhiambo and other rights groups.
‘Kenya once offered asylum to exiles and dissidents from across East Africa,’ Odhiambo noted. ‘Right now, I cannot say with confidence, as President of the Law Society, that I can offer my colleagues in the region asylum because I don’t know if they’ll be picked up or not.’
She warned that Kenya is regressing in its adherence to both national and international law. ‘I hold our president and political leaders responsible for this retrogression,’ she stated.
Growing public disillusionment
President Ruto came into office with promises of reform, transparency, and accountability. Yet, three years into his administration, many Kenyans feel let down. High inflation, a struggling economy, and harsh crackdowns on protest movements have created a sense of disillusionment among voters.
Odhiambo fears the calm following recent protests is deceptive. ‘If we don’t get our act together before the next election, the likelihood of things turning violent is quite high,’ she said.
Kenya’s election seasons have a violent history. In 2007-2008, post-election clashes killed more than 1,000 people. According to Odhiambo, the political elite continue to exploit tribal divisions to maintain power while failing to address systemic corruption.
‘There’s no real division among the political class—they’re all rich, they all have power,’ she said. ‘Meanwhile, they let ordinary Kenyans fight among themselves.’
Odhiambo criticised the failure to tackle corruption, where political leaders simply argue over who gets a share of the spoils. ‘My tribe should get this or that—that’s their argument. For me, it’s a very sad and frustrating situation,’ she lamented.
A country at a crossroads
Faith Odhiambo’s leadership of the Law Society of Kenya comes at a critical moment. As the country confronts rising political repression, police brutality, and shrinking democratic space, Odhiambo and the LSK are pushing back to uphold the rule of law and defend human rights.
Her message is clear: Kenya must restore accountability, strengthen its judicial system, and protect its Constitution—or risk sliding back into an era of fear and oppression.
