Former IPOA boss Macharia Njeru wins LSK elections

Macharia Njeru has been elected as the male representative of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

He is the former chairman of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).

“I accept this win with humility and promise to serve all lawyers with diligence, respect and accountability. I will work with the society to restore the dignity and respect to our profession,” he said on Friday.

Njeru garnered 2,738 votes trouncing incumbent Tom Ojienda, who came second with 2,545 votes.

In third position was Charles Mongare Ongoto.

The elections were held in 28 centers across the country and supervised by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

The highly-contested polls had been preceded with controversy as candidates moved to court seeking to lock one another out of the elections.

On Friday, lawyers from across the divide sent congratulatory messages with some saying Njeru’s victory is a ‘win for the nation’.

“Congrats Macharia Njeru. Your win is a win for the Law Society of Kenya and a win for the nation,” Martha Karua said.

Flomboyant advocate Donald Kipkorir added: “When Macharia Njeru came to see me in my office & asked for my support for LSK male representative to JSC, without prevarication, I gave him my support bec I know of his personal integrity. Am proud that the majority of Lawyers quietly shared my position. Proud of his Victory.”

On his part, lawyer Kipchumba Murkomen who is also the Majority Leader and Elgeyo Marakwet Senator said: “Congratulations Macharia Njeru on your election as the LSK male representative to JSC. Congratulations Prof.Tom Ojienda for your 5 years of service. Now let’s focus on the salient task of making our judiciary stronger.We must also find a way of uniting a deeply divided LSK!”

Nelson Havi who had been campaigning for Ojienda noted that he had called Njeru and also congratulated him on his victory.

“Congratulations Macharia Njeru on your election as LSK male member representative to JSC. Thank you Prof Tom Ojienda for your service to Advocates and the public during your tenure at JSC,” a statement on his Twitter page reads.