The Secretariat

The Chief Executive Officer’s (CEO) major responsibility is managing the Society’s overall operations. Other key responsibilities include making major corporate decisions, managing resources of the Society, acting as the liaison between the Council and the membership and managing the Society’s organizational structure, strategy, and communicating with the Council.

The Continuing Professional Development Committee is established under the CPD Rules 2014. The principal function of the committee is to implement the Continuing Professional Development programme in the country. The composition of the Committee is as appointed by the Council.

The CPD Directorate is currently headed by the Director, Mr. Harold Ayodo, Advocate assisted by the Program Officer Ms. Emily Tenge and the Program Assistant Ms. Priscilla Mbula.

The Committee works hand in hand with the CPD Directorate at the Secretariat. The Directorate co-ordinates the activities of the Committee and assists in executing its mandate.

The Chairperson of the committee is Mr. Henry Ongicho, the Vice Chairman is Mr. Julius Kitheka.

The Law Society of Kenya Act 2014 under Section 4 provides for the functions and objects for which the Society was established and this have been elaborated under our strategic objectives for the Compliance & Ethics Directorate and the LSK in general. The strategic objectives are to:

• Provide transformative member services/welfare.
• Improve administrative and governance structures.
• Promote the implementation of the constitution, the rule of law and the administration of justice.
• Enhance standards of learning, professional competence and conduct.
• Enhance sound financial, budgeting and risk management systems.

The Compliance & Ethics Directorate is currently headed by the Deputy Secretary/Director Ms. Mwathi Kitonga, assisted by the Program officer Ms. Njeri Mutitu, Advocate and the Program Assistant Ms. Angelica Mecha, Advocate.

The Public Interest and Litigation Department works closely with the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Committee on Public Interest Legal Aid and Human Rights that advises the Council on matters of Public Interest Litigation, handles access to justice matters and pro bono matters as well. Ms. Wangari Kagai, Advocate is the Programme Officer and Mr. Bonface Were, Programme Assistant of the unit that manages the pro bono database and case referral tracking system. The pro bono database lists all pro bono advocates and their areas of specialization. The unit is mandated with the implementation of the LSK Public Interest Strategy which guides the council on areas of strategic public interest litigation.

The Department of Parliamentary and Legislation pursued the twin objectives of enhancing access to justice and facilitation of constitutionalism and the rule of law, under the strategic plan.

As part of ensuring compliance with the Constitution and the rule of law, in the period running from April 2022 to February 2023, the department reviewed and submitted comments to parliament and selected governmental agencies.

The department issued notices on the following legislations which were shared out to members for comments, views collated and consequently used to prepare memoranda to the parliament.

The Parliamentary Affairs and Legislation Directorate is currently headed by the Deputy Secretary/Director Mr. Collins Odhiambo, assisted by the Program officer Ms. Winnie Tsuma, Advocate.

The Law Society of Kenya Act 2014 under Section 28 (2) (a) provides that the Secretariat shall consist of the Practice Standards Directorate which shall be responsible for the promotion of excellence in practice, client care and the achievement of full compliance with the rules of good practice in the profession through advice, support and other forms of assistance to advocates and law firms.

Ms. Sophie Kaibiria, Advocate is the Director of the Practice Standards Directorate and the Secretary to the Practice Standards and Ethics Committee which also plays a role in the directorates’ activities.

The Finance and Administration directorate is headed by CPA Michael Chege (Ag. Chief Finance Officer) and supported by CPA Titus Gitu (Accountant) and Mr. Shadrack Musyoki (Accounts Assistant)

The Department’ objective is;

• Management of LSK Revenue
• Improve Financial Management Systems
• Institutionalizing Budget process
• Ensure statutory compliance
• Administrative Support-HR & General
• Enhance Financial Reporting

The Department is tasked with the responsibility giving assurance on the adequacy of the Internal Control Systems of the Society. The Internal Audit department is headed by CPA Joab Mbakaya. The department reports quarterly to the Audit & Risk Committee on the implementation of the Annual Audit Work plan.

ICT is a strategic function in any organization because all operational functionalities are highly dependent on sound systems to operate.

The core mandate of the department can be summarized as enabling the other functional departments and units efficient and effective means of conducting their business with ease by ensuring smooth running of all ICT systems.

The Department is headed by Geoffrey Karani.

Mr. Boniface Kivuva is the head of the procurement department. The department is responsible for the provision of technical leadership on all matters to do with sourcing, policy development, and illuminating the staff on procurement systems and processes taking cognizant of the emerging issues in the field with a view of amplifying efficacy in the Society’s operations.

Below are some of the departmental objectives;

• Cost leadership through cost-benefit analysis approach.
• Enhanced operational efficiency and effectiveness
• Optimum and prudent utilization of available scarce resources
• Responsible sourcing
• Developing robust strategic alliances/partnerships
• Supply Chain value creation and additions.

The Communications Department’s strategic objective is to provide transformative member service through raising LSKs visibility, improve professional competence, enhance engagement with stakeholders and improve accountability to members.

The department consists of Ms. Agnetta Rodi, Programme Officer, Ms. Gloria Kuyoh, Programme Assistant, and Ms. Maureen Kung’u – Intern.