Migori Senator defends LSK president Faith Odhiambo against critics
Migori Senator Eddy Oketch has come out strongly in defence of Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo, urging Kenyans to allow her to serve victims of protests without undue harassment from critics.
In a statement issued on Friday, September 5, 2025, Oketch dismissed lawyers who have been attacking Odhiambo, arguing that many of them have never participated in meaningful activism or understood the sacrifices tied to national struggles.
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“Most, if not all, the lawyers criticising LSK President @FaithOdhiambo8 have: never gone to any protest that changed this country; never shared about any relatives that were killed during these protests; and never led even cattle deep committees in their villages,” Oketch stated.
He emphasised that Odhiambo, alongside fellow panellist Irungu, embodies the integrity, courage, and independence required to steer the compensation process for victims of protests.
According to him, the diversity and complexity of such compensations demand leaders who are ready to take responsibility rather than engage in “elusive activism” on social media.
Also watch: Lawyer Willis Otieno defends Faith Odhiambo over role in Ruto’s task force
“They don’t understand the pain and loss of victims of protests. They don’t get the diversity and the complexity of compensation of this magnitude. In their TikTok and Twitter havens, they are warriors who don’t know what to fight and what not to fight,” he added.
“This committee needed Kenyans of high integrity, courage and independent thinking, such as Faith and Irungu, who will ensure compensations are actually achieved despite being vast.”
In addition, Oketch urged critics to give the LSK President space, stressing that her work on the committee is about achieving justice and relief for affected Kenyans, not chasing popularity.
“Let the LSK President serve Kenyans who need her the most. Faith and the panel are patriots called to duty… they need to make a contribution to fixing our nation; not just by elusive activism like of those harassing them, but also by actually doing something that will have direct impact in the lives of victims!,” he stated.
Faith Odhiambo’s pledge
The LSK president, who was sworn in on Thursday, September 4, 2025, alongside other members of the 15-member panel, had earlier pledged to fight for victims of police brutality.
Also watch: Ruto appoints Faith Odhiambo as vice-chair of compensation panel
“Holistic justice requires that as we seek accountability from perpetrators, we remain alive to the needs of victims and the difficulty of their lived realities,” Odhiambo said in her acceptance statement.
She added that she would “guard this opportunity fearlessly” and ensure the panel serves only the interests of vulnerable Kenyans.
Panel’s mandate
The Panel of Experts, chaired by Professor Makau Mutua, is tasked with verifying, categorising, and compensating victims of protests and riots since 2017.
Other members include Kennedy Ogeto, Irungu Houghton, Linda Musumba, Juliet Chepkemei, and Duncan Ojwang.
President Ruto, through a gazette notice, said the panel would ensure timely and fair payouts while addressing accountability concerns.
Otieno concluded his remarks by stressing that Kenya needs strong voices like Odhiambo’s to steer justice, not discourage them.
