•He said when leaders take partisan stands, they are regarded as no better than any other player in the political theatre and they are compromised, lose their credibility.
• Stand firm on the rule of law, even if he is labelled anti-government. The tag won't stick if it's anti-partisan,
Newly elected president of the Law Society of Kenya Eric Theuri has pledged to depoliticise the outfit, remain neutral and be nonaligned. https://bit.ly/3q78XKQ
Image: Wilfred Nyangaresi
Newly elected president of the Law Society of Kenya Eric Theuri has pledged to depoliticise the outfit, remain neutral and nonaligned.
Theuri told the Star on Monday his main focus is to pursue a policy of non-partisanship and rebuild the image of the society that had been battered by infighting during the Nelson Havi regime.
He will assume office on March 25 after defeating four rivals in the LSK elections held on March 10.
Theuri currently serves as the chairman of the society's Nairobi branch. Havi's two-year term was ending.
Speaking during an interview, Theuri said his in-tray is overflowing, chief among the many items of business is to remove the society from the charged political environment.
He said when leaders in the society take partisan political stands, they are regarded as no better than other political players, they lose credibility and become compromised.
"I will always be objective. I don't believe in political alignments or using the society as a stepping stone for partisan interests," he said.
Theuri said that even during the LSK campaigns, he deliberately kept his engagements low-profile and did not form a tag team. The aim was to demonstrate professionalism and disinterest and focus on the law and legal issues.
Rule of law is paramount
He said he will lead the LSK council in standing firm against violations of the rule of law and in defending the public interest. He said that role will probably label him as being anti-government.
"I don't believe in campaign lineups. They are divisive and make the council already divided even before hitting the ground running. I deliberately decided to keep my campaign low-key and non-controversial."
He also aims to rehabilitate LSK's relationship and image, tarnished by politics, Theuri said.
“There are a lot of relationships to be rebuilt, a lot of image to be repaired and partnerships to be restored in making the society non-partisan and non-divisive,” he said.
He said he will lead the LSK council in standing firm against violations of the rule of law and in defending the public interest. He said that role will probably label him as being anti-government.
“The Law Society of Kenya will always be viewed as anti-government but that is a tag I will gladly wear. But it will not stick if it is done without partisan political interests,” he said.
Upon the declaration of his win, lawyers opposed to his candidature posted on social media claims that the society had been recaptured by the state, suggesting that he would be too friendly to the government.
But Theuri said that perception was misinformed and his soft-spoken and diplomatic approach to issues should not be mistaken for weakness.
He said defending the rule of law aggressively is in the best interest of society and lawyers and so he will not relent in it.
“Members of the society only thrive when the government and every player observe the rule of law. Expect a society that is extremely aggressive in pursuing issues of social justice, respect for human rights and strict adherence to the Constitution.”
"Any lawyer wants court orders obeyed and the biggest criminal in this context is the government. So that will be biggest focus. You will hear a lot from us in this respect."
He will also focus on ensuring a credible electoral process so there is electoral justice.
"We will coalesce with other civil society players to collaborate with but also pile pressure on the IEBC and the government to see that the August 9 election is free and fair, accountable and compliant with the law," Theuri said.
On member's welfare issues, his focus will be, among others, on dealing with the problem of quacks in the legal sector. His approach will be to strengthen the society's inspectorate arm and building alliance with the police to week out the men and women who give the profession a bad name.
Another issue is stopping some lawyers from charging below market rates to attract business.
"We will make it known to advocates charging fees below market rates that they are acting unethically. Undercutting breeds corruption and incompetence in the field, making people lose faith in lawyers."
(Edited by V. Graham)