Charles Kanjama Wins Kenya's Law Society Presidential Election with Nearly Half of All Votes
Nairobi, 19 February 2026
Senior Counsel Charles Kanjama secured a decisive victory in Kenya’s Law Society presidential race, capturing 3,728 votes against his nearest rival’s 2,616. The respected dispute resolution specialist now faces the challenge of leading Kenya’s legal profession during what outgoing President Faith Odhiambo described as a ‘high-stakes electioneering period’ ahead of the 2027 general elections. Kanjama’s campaign focused on strengthening internal democracy and addressing workplace challenges for advocates, while warning that Kenya remains unprepared for the upcoming elections.
Election Results and Margin of Victory
The election results revealed the extent of Kanjama’s support within Kenya’s legal community, with his 44.223 per cent of the total votes cast demonstrating a clear mandate from advocates nationwide [1][2]. Peter Wanyama, who had previously contested the LSK presidency in 2024 but lost to Faith Odhiambo, secured second place with 2,616 votes [2][3]. Current LSK Vice President Mwaura Kabata finished third with 2,086 votes, graciously acknowledging the result by stating: ‘I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Mr. Charles Kanjama SC, who has been entrusted by advocates to serve as their 52nd president of the Law Society’ [3]. The closely contested election saw advocates from across the country participate in the voting exercise on Wednesday, 19 February 2026, underscoring the significance of LSK leadership in shaping legal practice and policy in Kenya [1][2].
A Leader Forged Through Decades of Legal Experience
Kanjama brings over two decades of legal expertise to his new role, having been admitted to the roll of advocates in 2003 and establishing his own firm three years later in 2006 [3][4]. His leadership credentials within the legal fraternity are well-established, having served as LSK Nairobi branch chairperson from 2016 to 2018 [3][4]. The new president’s campaign was financially substantial, with Kanjama revealing that ‘he had spent £6 million on his campaign, sourced from his law firm and donations from friends’ [3]. His victory speech reflected both humility and determination: ‘I’m glad to benefit from the work of the Law Society of Kenya… It’s a responsibility to hold to those high pledges and commitments I made to the statutory role of the Law Society of Kenya, not to disappoint Kenyans, not to disappoint lawyers, my supporters and indeed all advocates both those who voted and those who didn’t’ [4].
Ambitious Reform Agenda and Electoral Preparedness Concerns
Kanjama’s campaign platform centred on five key pillars: rule of law, integrity and independence, practice and welfare, building the institution and engagement, and accountability and governance [3]. His comprehensive reform agenda includes completing the Wakili Towers project in South C, establishing an LSK training institute, and creating a judiciary enforcement police unit [3]. The new president has also outlined plans to support in-house lawyers, register and collaborate with lawyers’ associations, and publish an annual evidence-based rule of law report whilst supporting devolution [3]. However, Kanjama has raised significant concerns about Kenya’s readiness for the 2027 General Election, cautioning that ‘We are not ready as a country… The Law Society of Kenya is going to champion the readiness of all the actors and players’ [4]. He cited the need for statutory reforms, boundary delimitation, adequate budgeting, and adherence to professional standards among lawyers as critical preparatory measures [4].