Charles Kanjama SC Elected as 52nd LSK President

In a high-stakes election that drew thousands of advocates to the polls nationwide, Senior Counsel Charles Kanjama has been elected as the 52nd President of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK). Emerging victorious in the polls held on February 19, 2026, Kanjama garnered a commanding 3,728 votes, successfully weathering a fierce challenge from his rivals in a race supervised by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). He defeated Peter Wanyama, who secured 2,616 votes, and the outgoing Vice President Mwaura Kabata, who finished third with 2,086 votes.

Kanjama takes over the mantle from Faith Odhiambo, whose tenure was defined by a courageous defense of constitutional rights and the protection of civil liberties during national protests. Joining Kanjama in the new leadership cycle is Teresia Wavinya Nicholas, who has been elected as the Vice President of the Society. Together, they will steer Kenya’s premier bar association—representing more than 20,000 practicing advocates—for the 2026–2028 biennial term, with a formal handover expected to take place in March.

Kanjama’s campaign was anchored on the R.I.P.E. (Rule of Law, Integrity, Practice, and Engagement) manifesto, a platform that resonated with a legal fraternity seeking stable and “tried and tested” leadership. His agenda focuses on ten key priorities, including the transparent completion of the Wakili Towers project in South C, the establishment of an LSK Training Institute, and the creation of a Judiciary Enforcement Police Unit to safeguard legal practitioners. He has also pledged to publish an annual, evidence-based “Rule of Law Report” to hold state actors accountable.

The election comes at a critical juncture as Kenya begins its countdown to the 2027 General Election. In his victory speech, Kanjama emphasized that the LSK’s role in national discourse has never been more vital. He cautioned that the country still faces significant preparedness gaps regarding statutory reforms and boundary delimitation. He vowed that under his leadership, the LSK would act as an “unwavering sentinel,” ensuring the independence of legal institutions and the adherence to professional standards as the political temperature rises.

With over 22 years of experience since his admission to the bar in 2003, Charles Kanjama is a seasoned constitutional lawyer and the Managing Partner at Muma & Kanjama Advocates. Having previously served as the chairman of the LSK Nairobi Branch (2016–2018), he is widely credited with operationalizing the society’s decentralization. His election is seen as a move toward institutional maturity, with supporters praising his “orchestral conductor” approach to governance and his commitment to improving the welfare of young lawyers in the country.