By Zach Macharia
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has endorsed Faith Mony Odhiambo for the Law Society of Kenya’s Presidency. Through his social media handle @edwinsifuna on X (formerly Twitter) the member of Parliament wasted no time in declaring his support for the sitting Vice President of the lawyers’ umbrella body.
Complete with a photo shaking Mrs Odhiambo’s hand, Sifuna wrote:
“I consider all those running for @lawsocietykenya President my friends. I have great respect for all of them. After yesterday’s debate, I have seen and heard enough to cast my lot with Faith.”
The Orange Democratic Movement’s (ODM) Secretary General’s endorsement comes hot in the heels of the first LSK Presidential debate aired last night on Royal Media Services Citizen Television.
During the debate, Mrs Odhiambo oozing wisdom and experience in LSK leadership, remained steadfast in her responses to the questions asked by the moderator Sam Gituku.
“I stand as a bridge for the young lawyers who are looking at the Law Society to help them grow in the legal profession, the bridge for the senior bar who have laid the foundation for us and are looking to enjoy what they have put in place,” said Mrs Odhiambo.
The former FIDA Kenya Secretary went ahead to explain that her tenure in the council has been to bring to ther the Young Bar, Mid Bar and the senior bar.
The reality is that, over a period of time, there has been a burgeoning rift between the young bar and the senior bar. The question of mutual respect between one another, the question of how we treat them, sit and work together.
When I got in as the Vice President, I took up mentorship to institutionalize the bridge under my office, through Inua Wakili Mentorship series impacting soft skills to young lawyers and the Mentoship Program inconjuction with the office of the Chief Justice,” narrated Mrs Odhiambo.
Sifuna’s endorsement comes barely a day after Azimio Co-Principal Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka’s endorsement. The Wiper Leader endorsed Mrs Odhiambo when she paid him a courtesy call at SKM Command Centre in Karen alongside City Lawyer Jackson Awele.
After the said meeting Awele posted photos with caption: “This morning we had the pleasure of meeting H.E. @skmusyoka SC to share @FaithOdhiambo8’s 2024-2026 blue print for the LSK and to receive words of wisdom and guidance for the task ahead. The meeting provided an invaluable opportunity for the candidate to enrich her vision for an all inclusive society in which all members senior, mid and young feel competently represented. Thank you SC for your affirmation and endorsement.”
Legal analysts claim that Sifuna’s endorsement to Faith is a big blow to one of the candidates who hails from the same county as the outspoken ODM legislator. The said candidate has allegedly been traversing Western Kenya stating that his was Mulembe nation’s pick to succeed Eric Theuri and in turn fill in the shoes of former President Nelson Havi.
“We agreed amongst lawyers in Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia and Bungoma that after Havi the seat should first go to our shemeji from Lake Victoria as we strategize on how to support a female candidate for the society in this times of Femicide,” Simiyu Wafula told Mwanahabari speaking on phone from Western Kenya.