LSK Launches Ethics Taskforce to Clean Up Courts and Land Registries

Aoma keziah,

The Law Society of Kenya has officially launched a new taskforce aimed at tackling long-standing issues of inefficiency and misconduct in the country’s legal and land administration systems.

Speaking at the unveiling, LSK President Faith Odhiambo said the Efficiency and Ethics Taskforce will focus on problems that have eroded public confidence, especially in the courts and land registries.

“ The team has a clear mandate: improve service delivery, uphold the rule of law, and help bring an end to the culture of impunity that has taken root in some public offices. Today, we are saying Enough of sluggish systems, Enough of opaque registry dealings, Enough of small bribes for big favors,  Enough of Court processes that move slower than a tortoise on a rainy day,” she underscored.

She further added that this taskforce has been formed with a singular mission, to clean the house and open The windows, to bring in light, bring in air,  restore dignity and discipline to the system.

“The Law Society of Kenya, as a key stakeholder in the administration of justice, cannot sit on the sidelines while these challenges persist. We have a constitutional duty  and a moral one  to speak, to act, and to lead. This is why we have established this Taskforce, to identify, interrogate, and Propose practical, implementable solutions to the inefficiency deficits plaguing our judicial system and registries,” Odhiambo continued to say.

The launch comes at a time when complaints about case delays, missing files, and unethical practices continue to surface, which LSK  described the move as a response to growing pressure from both lawyers and the public to fix a broken system.

Mr. Justice Eric Ogola, Principal Judge, High Court of Kenya, representing the chief guest  Justice and President of the Supreme Court of Kenya Martha Koome,  highlighted that under the Social Transformation through Access to Justice (STAJ), efficient and ethical registries are not just operational necessities, they are critical to the transformation that they seek.

“STAJ envisions a Judiciary and justice sector that is responsive, accountable, and anchored in the lived realities of the people that we serve. Significant strides have been made through digitization, e-filing, and case tracking system. These are not just technological achievements they are also justice achievements which  have reduced delays and brought transparency into processes that were opaque and frustrating to many court users,” he remarked.

The taskforce includes legal professionals, land experts, and civil society representatives. They are expected to begin work immediately, with public input likely to be part of the process.

While LSK admits the road ahead won’t be easy, it hopes this effort will lay the groundwork for lasting change, starting with institutions that touch the daily lives of Kenyans.