The outgoing president describes her two-year term as “my life’s greatest honour” as Senior Counsel Charles Kanjama is sworn in as the 52nd president of the Law Society of Kenya.
Faith Odhiambo has formally relinquished the presidency of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), handing over to Senior Counsel Charles Kanjama at the Society’s 2026 Annual General Meeting held in Machakos, bringing the curtain down on what she described as “my life’s greatest honour.”
The ceremony, which drew members from across the country, saw Kanjama and the incoming 2026–2028 Council sworn in before Odhiambo surrendered the instruments of the presidency, making Kanjama the 52nd president of the Society. The handover marked the peaceful transition of leadership at the premier bar association, with members witnessing the culmination of Odhiambo’s two-year tenure at the helm.
In an appreciation letter to members ahead of the handover, Odhiambo recalled how, two years ago, she had crisscrossed the country engaging thousands of lawyers across Kenya seeking the mandate to serve as the 51st president. She said members had overwhelmingly endorsed her PSP Agenda, which rested on three main pillars — making decisive progress in restoring the dignity of the premier bar, asserting LSK’s position as an indispensable voice for the rule of law, and creating sustainable stability within the Society.
“Two rapid years later, I can report with confidence that I have been faithful to these guiding beacons,” she wrote, reflecting on the progress made during her tenure despite the challenges that characterized the period.
Odhiambo was unreserved in her gratitude, noting that members’ support had not stopped at the ballot but extended into material contributions towards enriching the Society’s discharge of its mandate under Section 4 of the LSK Act. She acknowledged that the collective effort of members had enabled the Society to fulfill its statutory obligations even in the face of significant external pressures.
She reflected on three distinct privileges she said had characterized her interactions with members during her presidency. Chief among these, she noted, was the comfort she drew from the outspoken support of members at a time when Kenya’s rule of law space was particularly turbulent. She observed that on several occasions the Constitution was on test, and that duty as purveyors of justice demanded that the Society place its head and heart in the line of fire.
Odhiambo’s tenure coincided with one of the most challenging periods for the legal fraternity in Kenya, marked by heightened tensions between the judiciary and the executive, as well as sustained attacks on judicial officers and legal advocates. Under her leadership, the LSK frequently found itself at the forefront of defending judicial independence and constitutionalism, often taking up contentious matters that pitted the Society against powerful state interests.
The outgoing president also highlighted the privilege of witnessing the generosity of members who, she said, gave not only of their time and expertise but also their resources to ensure the Society could effectively discharge its mandate. She cited instances where members had stepped in to support colleagues facing persecution, as well as initiatives aimed at expanding access to justice for vulnerable communities.
Incoming president Charles Kanjama, a Senior Counsel and seasoned legal practitioner, takes over at a critical juncture for the legal profession. His tenure is expected to focus on continuing the defense of the rule of law while also addressing internal governance reforms, member welfare, and the Society’s financial sustainability.
Speaking after taking the oath of office, Kanjama paid tribute to his predecessor, acknowledging the weight of the responsibility now placed upon his shoulders. He pledged to build on the foundations laid during Odhiambo’s leadership while steering the Society through emerging challenges facing the legal profession.
The Machakos AGM also saw the swearing-in of the full 2026–2028 LSK Council, which will work alongside Kanjama to execute the Society’s strategic objectives over the next two years. Members present at the meeting expressed optimism about the transition, with many lauding Odhiambo for her steadfast leadership during a turbulent period in Kenya’s constitutional history.
As Odhiambo exits office, she leaves behind a legacy defined by a firm defense of judicial independence and a resolute commitment to the principles of the rule of law. Her tenure will be remembered as one in which the Law Society of Kenya stood firm in the face of unprecedented challenges, earning both national and international recognition for its role in safeguarding Kenya’s democratic institutions.
The handover in Machakos signals not only the end of Odhiambo’s presidency but also the beginning of a new chapter for the Law Society of Kenya under the leadership of Kanjama, with the legal fraternity watching closely to see how the new administration navigates the complex landscape ahead.
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