The High Court in Kerugoya has cleared Law Society of Kenya (LSK) president Faith Odhiambo to step out of two combined legal challenges targeting the creation of a compensation panel for victims of nationwide protests.
Justice Edward Muriithi on Monday granted Odhiambo’s request to be removed from the cases after she resigned from the panel, which had been appointed by President William Ruto to handle claims from those affected by the Finance Act protests.
Odhiambo had been serving as the panel’s Vice Chairperson but decided to resign, citing the urgency of other responsibilities in Kenya’s ongoing efforts to strengthen constitutional implementation and democratic reforms.
“Unfortunately, it is not feasible to achieve the time-sensitive milestones I undertook to achieve, and I must therefore prioritise other avenues of responding to the plight of victims through the other positions I hold, especially the leadership of the LSK,” she said.
The move to withdraw Odhiambo from the petitions was opposed by two petitioners, Gema Waitho and Eunice Ngaganga, who argued that she should remain involved because of her role when the panel began its work and her position as LSK president.
One petitioner noted that Odhiambo could face contempt claims linked to the panel’s operations despite prior court orders halting them.
Another claimed she bore responsibility over issues of professional conduct and leadership in the legal fraternity.
Justice Muriithi, however, found that Odhiambo’s resignation on October 6, 2025, released her from any liability for the panel’s actions thereafter.
“She would not be liable for acts of the panel taking place after her resignation,” the judge said. “Unless it is a matter of personal vendetta, which this court cannot countenance, the alleged contempt is to be pursued against members of the panel who remain after her resignation.”
The judge also ruled that keeping Odhiambo in the case would expose her to unnecessary personal costs and that claims of conflict of interest were no longer relevant since she had left the panel.
Following the ruling, the court struck Odhiambo out of all petitions while leaving open the question of costs, which will be addressed when the main cases conclude.
The remaining parties will now continue with the challenge to the legality of President Ruto’s compensation panel.
