Young Lawyers in Kisumu threaten to boycott LSK elections

Kisumu,

Tuesday January 23, 2024

KNA by Renny Esther/Carolyne Judith

Kisumu County Young Lawyers caucus has threatened to boycott this year’s Law Society of Kenya (LSK) elections over alleged discrimination of their members in the nomination process.

The members of Young Bar Magistrates of Kisumu condemned the disqualification of Byron Menezes and other members, who had expressed interest in vying for various positions in the forthcoming Law Society of Kenya elections, scheduled for February 29.

In a press briefing held at the Kisumu Law Courts, the group expressed their dissatisfaction on the nomination process terming it flawed and an elaborate attempt to lock out some potential candidates from taking part in the elections.

Yvonne Ogolla, a member of the Law Society of Kenya, Kisumu Chapter firmly said they will stand in solidarity with one of their member Byron who was disqualified from the ballot in unclear circumstances.

 “Our candidate was disqualified because he was nominated by an advocate practicing in Nairobi, which does not qualify as a reason for one’s disqualification as other aspirants are also always nominated by people from different parts of the country,” Ogolla asserted.

She is now urging the Law Society of Kenya, board of elections to reconsider their stance and allow all candidates who expressed interest in various positions to serve society.

On his part, Otieno Arnold while addressing the press, stated that “he was dismayed by the move that the Law Society of Kenya board had taken, by not only disqualifying Byron Menezes, who is a member of the Young Lawyers caucus, but also a majority of young advocates within Kenya.” 

“Elections are not supposed to be decided on a technicality basis. The reason as to why Byron was disqualified is not only absurd but strange to all of us. Advocates practice in all parts of the country and as such there should be no limitations as to where one holds an office,” Arnold lamented.

 The disappointed group is now threatening not to participate in Kisumu's elections without Byron's names on the ballot, until the Law Society of Kenya elections Board resolves the issue.

Further, they beseeched Law School Kenya to give equal opportunities and fair treatment to young advocates in the Country.

Courtesy; KNA