Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo has revealed that she has not participated in any meetings or engagement with the recently constituted Panel of Experts, mandated with overseeing the compensation of protests victims.
In a statement released on Thursday, the LSK President maintained that she will respect the orders issued by the High Court. She dismissed claims of working with the government, maintaining that her allegiance lies with the people of Kenya.
“It is my solemn patriotic duty and obligation to respect, uphold, and defend the Constitution of Kenya. Let it be clear that apart from the swearing in, I have not participated in any meetings or engagements with or for the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Demonstrations and Riots,’ Odhiambo said.
She added: “I respect the rule of law and abide by the orders given by the High Court. I would like to emphasize that I do not work for the Government of Kenya nor the opposition; my call is to serve the people of Kenya and my learned colleagues at the Law Society of Kenya.”
Odhiambo however vowed to pursue justice for victims of police brutality and many Kenyans who have been unjustly detained and charged.
She urged the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to review the terrorism charges against peaceful protestors and instead prosecute rogue police officers who were caught on camera brutalizing Kenyans exercising their freedom of assembly.
“I am consulting widely on this cause while keenly listening to the voices of the victims and those who still suffer in search of justice. I know there are many Kenyans who were killed and injured, while others have been profiled and taken to court over trumped-up charges. I maintain the call to the ODPP to review the trumped-up terrorism charges against peaceful protesters; and shift focus on prosecuting the trigger-happy officers who were caught on camera using excessive force to undermine the right to freedom of assembly,” she stated.
Additionally, she sustained that the Law Society of Kenya will continue to offer pro bono services for victims and survivors of police brutality in the various ongoing cases across the country.
Faith Odhiambo’s leadership has increasingly been challenged following her decision to accept the appointment as the co-chair of the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Demonstrations and Riots.
On Friday, September 5, advocate Levi Munyeri stated that Odhiambo’s participation in the Panel was unlawful, and that the Constitution had assigned the mandate to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR). He threatened to lodge a petition to remove Faith Odhiambo as LSK President if she did not step down from the panel.
