Former Makueni Governor and governance expert Prof. Kivutha Kibwana has lauded Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo for stepping down from the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Demonstrations and Public Protests.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Kibwana described Odhiambo’s resignation as an act of integrity and a significant win for Kenya’s democracy. He commended her for acknowledging what he termed a “misstep” and for taking swift action to correct it.
“What Faith Odhiambo has done for Kenya’s democracy and especially for the youth will forever be etched in our history,” Kibwana stated. “Taking one wrong turn and then rectifying the misstep is what a decent human being does. Let us be kind and forgiving. Let us focus on the rot that needs cleaning.”
Kibwana urged Kenyans to direct their energy toward fighting systemic corruption and institutional decay instead of vilifying individuals who choose to make amends. He noted that Odhiambo’s move exemplified moral courage and the power of self-correction in public service.
Odhiambo resigned from the state-appointed panel on Monday, following public criticism from sections of the legal fraternity and civil society who questioned the legitimacy of the team.
In her resignation statement, Odhiambo said her decision was driven by her commitment to uphold the integrity and independence of the Law Society of Kenya.
“It is not feasible to achieve the time-sensitive milestones I undertook to achieve,” she said. “I must therefore prioritise other avenues of responding to the plight of victims through the leadership of the LSK.”
She reaffirmed her commitment to continue advocating for the rights of victims of police brutality during demonstrations, vowing to pursue justice through existing LSK structures.
Kibwana concluded by calling for renewed accountability in national governance, saying Odhiambo’s decision should inspire ethical leadership and reform across public institutions.
