Willis Otieno defends LSK boss Faith Odhiambo over role in Ruto’s task force
By David Nthua, September 5, 2025Lawyer Willis Otieno, on Friday, September 5, 2025, appealed to Kenyans to stop bashing the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo after she accepted President William Ruto’s appointment to the newly created Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Protests and Riots.
Through a statement on X, Otieno urged Kenyans not to turn Odhiambo into what he termed a “sacrificial lamb,” saying her decision should not be misinterpreted.
“Let’s not turn Faith Odhiambo into a sacrificial lamb; she means well. But if we insist on silencing every voice that dares to rise, then we must also be prepared to raise others in their place. A society without guiding voices drifts into emptiness.
“Hatuko hapa kwa mzaha, this is serious business. Grieving families are not comforted by flowery statements, and spilled blood is not cleansed by the creation of temporary panels.
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“Real justice must be tangible; accountability through proper legal processes, compensation backed by law, and reforms strong enough to prevent repetition.
“Anything less reduces justice to empty performance,” Otieno said.
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.
“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, categorizing, 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.