A time like this in 2023, you could not pick Faith Odhiambo from a crowd.
She was the vice president of lawyers’ lobby LSK, but now, her stand during protests and prestigious awards illuminate her.
As the year transitioned, she was on the throes of a campaign to succeed Eric Theuri, a fiery duel that saw her checkmate bullish lawyer Peter Wanyama, a contest she dominated.
But yet, at the time, the university law lecture and doctorate student was still camera shy and calculative on every statement she made and her public appearance.
One year down the line, Odhiambo is the 51st boss of the LSK, who in appearance can be dismissed as a lightweight but whose punches can give knock-outs.
She not only made a name in remaining consistent in defending Gen Z protesters, actively taking part in searching for the disappeared during the tense moments, and braving the teargas and heavy-handed police to storm stations to secure release of arrested protesters, but she also kept her council cohesive.
“It has not been an easy year, but who are the hard ones made for? It was clear in my mind when I sought member’s support for this job that we would do the best to stand for the voiceless and defend the rule of law, no matter what,” she told the Star.
June and July when the protests were at their peak and she was at the frontline to mobilise lawyers.
They had to plan on those who will be stationed at police stations and courts ready to secure the release of arrested protesters and defend their rights. Sleepless nights were a norm for her.
She also had to take extra measures to remain safe. She told the Star that as she mobilised lawyers and reached out to all players including activists to be on their toes at the time, subtle threats from the state and supporter of the government came her way, but it did not sway her.
“Some colleagues who clearly hold brief for the state have made comments like they now know the weight of LSK leadership and that next election the state will be more active in getting one of their own at the head of the table.”
And even some of her opponents during the February 2024 poll now appear to acknowledge she was cut for such a time as this.
“Threats are common but we are knee deep in doing what we believe in; defending the rule of law, standing up for the constitution and not forgetting the membership of the society that elected us,” he said.
“Some of our opponents have told me that they now believe I was cut out for this job even as they opposed me, and that the work we have done have proven that.Of course, some still find fault but that is democracy and I don’t dismiss them, I listen.”
Asked how she has managed to keep her council cohesive despite the charged times, Odhiambo says listening to every voice on the table, giving each other the benefit of good will and taking criticism in stride is her secret.
“In the council we don’t think in unison. Every person has their thought and proposal on how we can move forward or confront a challenge. There are those who think that our obligation is first to the membership who elected us and not the public. All I do is to afford every voice respect and allow full expression of dissent without demeaning and dominating,” she said.
“We then find the common ground and compromise.”
Odhiambo says she is a conviction-led leader and believes that standing up for the rule of law and demanding that duty bearers do right by the Kenyan people is also serving lawyers.
“It is in lawyers’ interest that all duty bearers, from judges of the Supreme Court, to police, to holders of public office not only respect the constitution, the rule of law and human rights, but also do the right thing by Kenyans. That is when the practice of law will thrive and the profession regains its respect.”
Now the relentless work is paying off as numerous awards are flowing her way.
On December 11, she got declared this year’s Jurist of the Year for her selfless courage in standing up to alleged state excesses.
The Kenyan section of the International Commission of Jurist declared her the 31st recipient of the prestigious award that has been previously bagged by renown judges and lawyers championing public good.
Not just the ICJ award, Odhiambo also got decorated with the CB Madan award on December 13 at Strathmore University and gave a memorial lecture.
The award is given in memory of former Chief Justice Chunilal Bhagwandas Madan who served for a year between 1985 to 86.
The award organisers say it is aimed at recognising Odhiambo’s “tireless dedication to defending human rights, upholding constitutional values, and championing accountability which has left an indelible mark on Kenya’s legal landscape.”
On its part, the ICJ says the Jurist of the Year Award is an annual award that seeks to give recognition to jurists who have consistently, fearlessly and impartially promoted the rule of law and human rights in Kenya during the year.
