Judiciary orders removal of LSK campaign posters from court premises

The Judiciary has directed the removal of all campaign posters mounted within court premises by candidates contesting the upcoming Law Society of Kenya (LSK) elections, citing the need to preserve the courts as neutral spaces.

The Chief Registrar of the Judiciary, Winfridah Mokaya, informed the LSK Elections Board and the society’s secretariat that campaign materials had been put up in courts across the country ahead of the 2026–2028 LSK polls.

The Judiciary said court premises must remain neutral ground for advocates and members of the public, regardless of their political or professional affiliations.

“In keeping with the Judiciary’s standing as a neutral ground for all advocates and members of the public regardless of their electoral choices, we have taken the decision to dismount all campaign posters in our premises countrywide,” Ms Mokaya said.

She noted that the decision would not infringe on candidates’ rights to campaign, pointing out that aspirants have multiple alternative platforms to engage voters outside court facilities.

“Election candidates have multiple channels for engaging with the electorate, and this action does not therefore hinder their right to engage with potential voters during the campaigns,” the Chief Registrar said.

The Judiciary asked the LSK Elections Board to notify all candidates of the directive.

It says the move was intended to safeguard institutional neutrality rather than influence the electoral process.

The letter was copied to all heads of court stations nationwide, signalling immediate and uniform enforcement of the directive.

The Judiciary also wished the Law Society peaceful campaigns and a smooth electoral process as advocates prepare to elect new leaders for the 2026–2028 term.

Elections for the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Council 2026–2028 are scheduled to be held in March 2026, marking the end of the current two-year term for the sitting council led by President Faith Mony Odhiambo.

The current leadership assumed office in March 2024 under the Law Society of Kenya Act, 2014.

The Society’s regulations provide for biennial elections.

The positions up for contest include President, Vice-President, and three General Membership Representatives (one of whom must be an advocate with at least 25 years of experience), alongside other council seats.

Several high-profile presidential bids have already been announced as the legal fraternity gears up for the polls.

They include Senior Counsel Charles Kanjama, who promises a leadership focused on rule of law, integrity, practitioner welfare and engagement.

He has previously served in LSK leadership roles and ran for the presidency in an earlier cycle.

Then there is Peter Wanyama, who is making a second attempt at the top seat after contesting in the previous cycle.

Other legal practitioners are expected to continue filing nomination papers as the window progresses, as per the Society’s election regulations.

The nomination process precedes the official vote in March, with campaigning and compliance governed by the LSK Electoral Code of Conduct.