Law Society Of Kenya Annual Conference: Call To Defend Constitutionalism
The Mt Kenya Times 
Wiper leader Kalonzo musyoka at the Law society of Kenya annual conference in Coastal region
By: Cynthia Masibo
Passionate calls for the protection of constitutionalism and the rule of law echoed through the annual conference of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), as former Vice President Dr. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, a seasoned advocate with 46 years of legal practice, addressed judges, lawyers, and dignitaries on the pressing state of national affairs.
Dr. Musyoka, a distinguished member of the Kenyan Bar since 1979, painted a somber picture of the country’s current climate. Reflecting on his own continuous service “There has been no break!” he commended the event’s theme, insisting that defending constitutional governance is the most consequential debate of the era.
Referencing speeches by Chief Justice Martha Koome, LSK President Faith Odhiambo, and Prof. Migai Akech from the previous day, Musyoka highlighted the vital constitutional role of the Opposition, even as he acknowledged its functions are not explicitly outlined in the nation’s founding documents. He described the past year as “a case study of State repression unlike anything experienced in the country’s 62 years of independence,” citing alarming incidents including abductions, protest-related assaults, and the emergence of militia groups allegedly operating under police protection.
Musyoka depicted a troubling scenario where young Kenyans, especially those under 30, face abduction and persecution for expressing dissent and exercising rights enshrined in the 2010 Constitution. Many have been charged under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, he noted, and treated as criminals for their activism. He recounted the harrowing experiences of victims of state violence, emphasizing their enduring faith in the Constitution’s power to shield citizens from further abuse.
The former Vice President commended the Law Society for offering relentless legal support to affected citizens, positioning lawyers as a collective conscience during perilous times. “The country is deeply grateful to all of you,” Musyoka said, lauding their leadership, moral courage, and response to distress calls.
He condemned government crackdowns on opposition and civil society, denouncing “state overreach and suppression” as unconstitutional. Musyoka announced the creation of the People’s Restorative Justice Commission (PRJC) on June 25, 2025 a grassroots body led by Speaker Emeritus JB Muturi and other noted figures. The commission, he reported, is working to restore dignity, rebuild lives, and hold perpetrators of abuses accountable.
Musyoka drew a sharp contrast with the government’s recently formed task force, questioning whether those responsible for violence could fairly investigate their own actions. “By compensating, the regime has already admitted its guilt and complicity,” he asserted.
He demanded immediate and unconditional release of all protesters detained during Maandamano and Saba Saba Day, including those charged before anti-terror courts. He also called for compensation for persons injured and families of all those killed during demonstrations, stressing that justice must transcend regional and ethnic divisions.
Musyoka ended with a quotation from Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar,” urging legal professionals and principled politicians to join forces in defending Kenya’s constitutional order. “If we lose the law, we lose the nation. This is the challenge of the most consequential discussion of our time,” he warned.
The conference closed with a renewed commitment from Kenya’s legal fraternity to uphold the rule of law and defend democratic freedoms, amid mounting concerns over repression and constitutional erosion.
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