Why lawyers want Mwamu to be next LSK president

Lawyers are pushing lawyer James Aggrey Mwamu to succeed Eric Mutua as President of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) in the forthcoming elections. Calls for the former LSK Vice Chairman to vie for the top LSK post are growing ahead of the 20th November deadline for candidates to present nomination papers.

The term of Eric Mutua ends in February next year and he is not due for re-elections in line with the LSK rules. Majority of the learned friends concur that Mwamu, who is the immediate former President of the East Africa Law Society (EALS), is the best placed to lead the premier bar association.

James Aggrey Mwamu: Lawyers want him to be next LSK president

The lawyers who back him cite his long experience as a council member, improvement of lawyers’ welfare, and his grasp of the law and level-headed approach to social and political matters. Other candidates expected to put in their papers include Allen Gichuhi, Alex Gatundu, Kinyanjui Theuri and little known lawyer Isaac Okero, who some say may be  out to spoil someone’s chances.

The lawyers have gone viral with their views on social media even though Mr Mwamu is yet to announce his candidature for the elections slated for early next year. According to Nairobi lawyer Kassim Shabban, Mr Mwamu’s recorded is known by professional peers, law students, litigants and judicial officers. “I’ve never seen a man so committed to his professional calling and for the welfare of his profession,” Mr Shabban said on social media.

For lawyer Cleveland Ayayo, the Welfare Committee that Mwamu is leading has come up with various member friendly packages for lawyers. “It has negotiated an attractive medical cover, advocates wellness programme, airlifting services from AAR, young lawyers’ mentorship strategy and last expenses package,” Mr Ayayo said on the same social media stream.

According to him, these are real bread and butter issues and affect lawyers’ lives directly.  “He (Mwamu) has been instrumental in championing the Rule of Law, good governance and stood for lawyers both,” Ayayo said.  “We need him to restore the great Law Society of Kenya.”

Lawyer Moses Edward says: “I had an opportunity of listening to him He has a very good grasp of what the Law Society needs.”

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