A Nakuru lawyer who sought to end the use of speed guns on Kenyan highways has now thrown his hat into the ring, in a bid to succeed the outgoing Law Society of Kenya president, Eric Theuri.
Kipkoech Bernhard Ng'etich (KBN) came into the limelight in 2022 when he moved to court to challenge the arrests of motorists for allegedly violating the 50km/hr speed limits at Sobea and Kedowa in Nakuru and Kericho Counties.
On Friday afternoon, Ng'etich handed over his nomination papers at the LSK headquarters ready to take the mantle from Theuri with a promise for a better outcome.
Kipkoech who also accused Traffic police of extortion by turning roads into corruption dens says he will transform the leadership of LSK council through his plan of Mentorship, Accountability, Checked Institutions & Enhanced opportunities if elected.
The advocate seeks to among other things, waive part of the Sh20,000 practising certificate fees for young advocates.
"For the young bar with the support of the counsel I would like to waive PC fees payable to the LSK and introduce senior bar mentoring through (CPD) Continuous professional development" reads Kipkoech's plan.
Kipkoech, a former Rift Valley Law Society chairman has also vowed to establish a culture of accountability within the LSK through transparent leadership decisions and asset accountability.
He has also promised to help a thousand young lawyers join reputable Sacco's and to increase the transparency of the council's financial transactions.
"I will revamp revamp pension and retirement programs for senior members", he told the Star on Saturday.
The advocate who has filed numerous Public interest litigation cases challenging various forms of human rights violations is also agitating for an independent judiciary.
"Judicial Independence and accountability are bedfellows. The judicial Service Commission as an employer has the elephant task of receiving and processing complaints expeditiously so that the guilty ones are removed and the innocent ones are cleared. Sadly, it has been very slow and opaque. In some cases, judicial officers in the JSC have behaved like trade union officials for their colleagues who have been accused", he added.
"We shall not only engage JSC on their turn around time but also objectivity in processing complaints so that the citadel of justice remains independent and accountable," he says.
His cases
Kipkoech who has been in the law practice for close to 16 years also successfully facilitated the arrest and conviction of an individual posing as an advocate in 2014 and the prosecution of a masquerading magistrate.
He successfully defended against an overspeeding charge in Kericho, setting a precedent for motorists
Kipkoech was involved in the swearing of judge case (Peter Okiro vs. AG).
He worked on the Itare Dam case, COVID-19 case (Clement Mburu vs. AG), Mau case, and Mumo Matemu vs. Trusted Society.
He argued the case of Chepkulul vs Nordin Haji and Dr William Ruto on Chapter 6
Kipkoech argued the case of Ole Kimeiwa vs Motari on the remit of powers of Public officers
He argued Musa Sirma, Rift Valley Contractors and Hosea Sitienei on the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
In the upcoming election, Kipkoech is expected to face four other candidates, namely former Vice President Carolyne Kamende, current Vice President Faith Odhiambo, Harriet Mboce and Peter Wanyama.
The five will be seeking to replace Eric Theuri whose term comes to an end in March 2024.
Theuri became the 50th president of LSK when he took over from Nelson Havi in March 2022.