The Law Society of Kenya 2026–2028 council elections reached a crucial stage with a vice presidential debate held on Thursday.
Breaking from convention, where presidential candidates typically receive the most attention, this election cycle has elevated the vice chair’s role, indicating a move toward a more collaborative and policy-driven council.
The main objective was to advance the conversation on gender equality and the eradication of all forms of violence against women while allowing members to observe leadership capabilities before the March 2026 voting.
The event, hosted at Daystar University’s Nairobi campus, featured the three contestantsDebora Ajwang, Teresia Wavinya and Elizabeth Wanguipresenting their visions to the legal community and the public.
All three aspirants are members of Fida Kenya.
The debate commenced with a query regarding the practical application of feminist leadership.
Wavinya, a sitting council member, stressed that her leadership would extend beyond rhetoric to substantive institutional reform.
“As a council member, we have successfully advocated for inclusive female appointments on boards,” Wavinya stated.
She contended that this progress should be extended to branch levels, guaranteeing that women at the grassroots are not mere spectators but engaged participants in decision-making. Wavinya also addressed the “systematic bias” within the profession, calling for the active protection of vulnerable young lawyers.
She directly criticized the slow implementation of the 2019 Sexual Harassment and Anti-Bullying Policy.
“It is time we combine awareness with training and promote trust… ensuring confidentiality to shield whistleblowers from retribution,” she affirmed.
With 19 years of legal experience, Ajwang positioned herself as the “governance” candidate.
Having served on both the Young Lawyers and the CBD committees, Ajwang highlighted that challenges confronting women advocatessuch as maternity leave and career advancementneed to be institutionalized through strong HR policies.
Her most notable remarks targeted the culture of “digital hostility” within the legal fraternity.
“Our own members bully fellow members and even judicial officers,” Ajwang observed, calling for a united front against cyberbullying.
Ajwang’s proposal centered on structured mentorship.
Drawing from her own professional growth, she suggested a dedicated group of women lawyers to guide younger colleagues through the complexities of the legal profession.
“I want young lawyers not to fear taking on leadership roles,” she stated.
While the three candidates agreed that women’s representation in the profession has grown numerically, they shared a common assessment of the “implementation gap.”
The consensus among Wanjeri and her co-contestants was that while policies exist in theory, the working environment continues to be unsupportive of the specific needs of female practitioners.
The debate highlighted three critical thematic areas: women’s rights and freedoms-translating legal theory into workplace reality; cyberbullying – safeguarding the digital presence and dignity of female candidates and gender-responsive activities that enhance women’s participation and progression to national leadership.
To address this, she proposed a framework of structured mentorship.
Based on her own professional journey, Ajwang envisions a dedicated pool of experienced women lawyers to guide younger colleagues through the intricacies of the profession, ensuring that the next generation feels confident assuming leadership roles.
Through the debate, a consensus emerged among the aspirants that although the legal profession has sufficient female representation numerically, the implementation of supportive policies remains frustratingly low.
The debate emphasized that the upcoming election is not merely a selection of individuals, but a referendum on how the Law Society will modernize its internal culture.
By treating the Vice Presidency as a crucial policy driver rather than a ceremonial post, the LSK is redefining its governance ahead of the March polls, challenging its members to elect a council that will actively safeguard and empower all its practitioners.