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LSK warns of constitutional crisis, vows crackdown on corruption and police abuse

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The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has issued a stark warning over the state of the country’s governance, declaring that Kenya is facing “acute constitutional stress” as it unveiled its agenda for the 2026–2028 term.

In a strongly worded inaugural statement, the newly elected council led by President Charles Kanjama said it will prioritise defending the rule of law against threats ranging from corruption to political violence and institutional decay.

“The newly elected Council of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) assumes office at a moment of acute constitutional stress,” the statement reads.

“As the statutory guardian of the rule of law, the LSK affirms the central commitment that will define our tenure: to defend the constitutional order against all threats, whether arising from corruption, violence, or institutional decay.”

Speaking on behalf of more than 20,000 advocates, the council painted a grim picture of weakening institutions, warning that corruption within the Judiciary poses a direct danger to the Constitution.

Citing findings from the 2025 Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission survey, the LSK said bribery remains prevalent in judicial processes, with judicial officers reportedly receiving bribes in 5.5 per cent of service interactions.

“Corruption in the Judiciary begets an existential threat to the Constitution itself. When justice is rationed by ability to pay, the rule of law becomes commodified and the Bill of Rights is rendered hollow,” the statement said.

While welcoming ongoing reforms by the Judiciary and the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), the lawyers insisted that enforcement must match policy changes.

They demanded that judges facing serious corruption allegations who obtain court orders to halt investigations should step aside voluntarily.

“This is both an ethical imperative and an institutional necessity,” the council stated.

The LSK also rejected the practice of transferring judicial officers to address misconduct, warning that it undermines accountability.

“We unequivocally reject the practice of using transfers to manage incompetence or corruption. Every part of Kenya deserves judicial officers of integrity and competence,” the statement said.

To tackle the crisis, the council announced a four-point strategy that includes sustained public scrutiny, creation of a confidential feedback system for advocates, strategic litigation, and participation in cases where there is prima facie evidence of misconduct.

On judicial appointments, the LSK raised concerns about the integrity of nomination processes handled by the JSC, citing public allegations of undue influence.

“Merit-based selection is the foundation of judicial independence. Any compromise of the nomination process undermines public confidence in the Judiciary and constitutional governance,” the statement said.

The council called for transparency, safeguards against external interference, and reforms where weaknesses are identified.

Beyond the Judiciary, the lawyers turned their attention to law enforcement, expressing “grave concern” over the recent degazettement of Capitol Hill Police Station infrastructure.

“The rule of law does not contain a carve-out for the powerful. All state action must be grounded in lawful authority, respect court orders, and adhere to constitutional standards,” the LSK said.

It demanded full disclosure on how the decision was authorised and accountability for any breaches of due process.

The council also condemned recent incidents of political violence, warning that the involvement of both criminal elements and law enforcement threatens democracy.

“Political violence, whether perpetrated by goons or enabled by state actors, is antithetical to the constitutional democracy we fought to build,” the statement said.

It added: “When police stand by as goons assault citizens or are deployed to disrupt political activity for partisan interests, they betray their oath.”

The LSK called for independent investigations, prosecution of offenders, and firm oversight by institutions including the National Police Service Commission and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority.

It further pushed for systemic reforms, including strengthening oversight bodies, enforcing discipline within police ranks, and setting clear rules governing conduct during political events.

The safety of lawyers also featured prominently in the statement, with the council raising alarm over cases of abduction and intimidation.

“Advocates must be able to discharge their duties without fear of violence, intimidation or abduction,” the LSK said.

“The safety of advocates is not a professional privilege. It is a constitutional necessity for the functioning of justice.”

Looking ahead to the 2027 General Election, the council urged Kenyans to actively participate in the democratic process by registering as voters through the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

“Democracy is not a spectator sport. It requires citizen participation,” the statement said.

“The vote is the primary instrument through which citizens defend the constitutional order.”

The LSK pledged to support civic education efforts to boost voter registration and awareness.

In its concluding remarks, the council reaffirmed its commitment to confronting wrongdoing and strengthening institutions.

“The rule of law is not self-executing. It requires constant vigilance, institutional courage and collective action,” the statement said.

“This Council accepts that responsibility fully, without reservation, and on behalf of the Kenyan Bar and every citizen who believes Kenya’s constitutional promise is worth defending.”-STAR.

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National Assembly dismisses claims Sacco Bill is being rushed through Parliament

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The National Assembly has dismissed reports that the Sacco Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2025, is being rushed through Parliament, saying the proposed law is still undergoing public participation.

Through infographics shared on Facebook on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, Parliament said misleading information had been circulating online about the Bill, formally known as the Sacco Societies (Amendment) Bill, National Assembly Bill No. 32 of 2025.

Bill was published in June 2025

The National Assembly said the Bill was published on June 30, 2025, and had remained under consideration for more than 12 months.

It rejected suggestions that lawmakers were fast-tracking the proposed amendments without allowing enough time for scrutiny.

According to Parliament, the lengthy period between the publication of the Bill and its current consideration shows that it is not being rushed.

Bill currently before the National Assembly committee

The Sacco Societies Amendment Bill is currently before the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives.

The committee is conducting public participation and receiving views from members of the public and other stakeholders.

The submissions are expected to help the committee assess the proposed amendments before presenting its recommendations to the National Assembly.

What happens after public participation?

After the public participation process is concluded, the committee will prepare a report containing its findings and recommendations.

Parliament said the views submitted by members of the public and stakeholders could inform further amendments to the Bill.

The proposed legislation will then proceed to the National Assembly for consideration by MPs.

This means the Bill has not yet completed the legislative process and could still be amended based on the submissions received during public participation.

Bill will be forwarded to Senate

The National Assembly also clarified that the Bill will not proceed directly for presidential assent after being passed by MPs.

Because the proposed legislation concerns county governments, it will be forwarded to the Senate for consideration in accordance with the Constitution.

The Senate will be required to consider the Bill before it can complete the parliamentary process and be presented for presidential assent.

Parliament urged members of the public to rely on verified information about the Sacco Societies Amendment Bill instead of unconfirmed reports circulating online-PeopleDaily.Digital.

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Digital house-hunting platform bets on technology to reshape Nairobi’s rental market

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NAIROBI, Kenya, July 14 – A growing shift towards digital property searches is changing how Kenyans find rental homes, with real estate technology platform Reemio positioning itself as a solution to longstanding challenges.

This included fraudulent listings, costly house searches and limited market transparency.

As younger, tech-savvy consumers turn to online platforms to make purchasing decisions, the company says digitizing the rental process could improve efficiency for both tenants and landlords while lowering transaction costs.

“Our niche is to solve the problem of house hunting and also bring trust into that process. We use technology to connect renters and landlords,” said Kimani.

Kimani said the platform seeks to address inefficiencies that have traditionally made house hunting expensive and time-consuming.

Instead of physically visiting multiple properties, users can browse verified listings, take virtual tours, compare amenities and access information on additional costs such as water charges, electricity bills and service fees before scheduling physical viewings.

Beyond improving convenience for tenants, Reemio argues that technology can help landlords reduce marketing costs, shorten vacancy periods and reach a wider pool of prospective tenants, including Kenyans living abroad.

The company says its platform also generates market data that can help property owners and developers better understand evolving consumer preferences, although its long-term impact will depend on wider adoption of digital property platforms and continued investment in trustworthy online real estate marketplaces-Capitalfm.co.ke.

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ORPP edges two parties closer to joining Kenya’s political arena

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The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) has issued a notice for the provisional registration of two proposed political parties, opening a seven-day window for members of the public to lodge objections.

In a notice published by the Registrar of Political Parties and Chief Executive Officer J.C. Lorionokou, the ORPP announced that the Social Democratic Party of Kenya (SDP) and the People’s Alternative Voice (PAV) are in the process of being provisionally registered under Section 5(2)(a) of the Political Parties Act.

The ORPP, a State office established under Section 33 of the Political Parties Act and Article 260 of the Constitution, said its mandate includes registering and regulating political parties as well as administering the Political Parties Fund.

According to the notice, the Social Democratic Party of Kenya (SDP) has adopted pink, white and sky blue as its official party colours, with the slogan “Change – Mageuzi.” The party’s symbol is the acronym SDP enclosed inside a circle.

The party’s listed founder members are Nyangong’ Duncan Nyumbah, Omwandasi Jared Dishon and Kinyua Mary Wacuka.

The founders of PAV are listed as Odenyo John Fitzgerald Elly, Nyando Rachel Mmboga and Ali Hussein Kiplangat.

The Registrar said particulars of the two proposed political parties have been published on the ORPP website to facilitate public scrutiny as required by law.

Any person wishing to oppose the provisional registration of either party has seven days from the date of publication of the notice to submit objections either in writing or in person to the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties at Lion Place, Fourth Floor, Waiyaki Way at Karuna Close, Nairobi.

The provisional registration marks the first step in the legal process of establishing a political party in Kenya.

Kenya has 91 fully registered political parties. The ORPP’s updated register indicates that, as of January 2026, there were 91 parties that had met the legal requirements for full registration under the Political Parties Act-STAR.

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