ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua have called on Kenya’s legal fraternity to remain steadfast in defending human rights, upholding the Constitution and holding those in power accountable as the country approaches the 2027 General Election.
The two leaders made the remarks during the Ngemi Cia Watho event hosted by GEMA WATHO Association, an organisation bringing together lawyers from the Mt. Kenya region.
Speaking at the gathering, Sifuna and Gachagua commended members of the legal profession for their role in defending Kenyans against alleged violations of their constitutional rights, particularly during the Gen Z-led protests.
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They recalled the difficult period during the Gen Z protests, when several young Kenyans were reportedly subjected to arbitrary arrests, abductions and killings, noting that lawyers played a critical role in challenging alleged human rights violations and seeking justice for affected families.
The leaders urged advocates to remain vocal and independent, warning against abandoning the constitutional principles that guide the country’s democratic institutions.
They particularly challenged the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) to sustain its commitment to defending the rule of law, protecting civil liberties and ensuring that government institutions operate within the limits of the Constitution.
Lawyers’ role in safeguarding democracy
The call comes as Kenya gradually moves towards the 2027 General Election, a period expected to place renewed attention on electoral accountability, political freedoms, human rights and the independence of institutions.
The two leaders maintained that the legal fraternity has an important responsibility beyond representing clients in court, arguing that lawyers must also help safeguard the country’s democratic foundations and defend citizens whenever their constitutional rights are threatened.
Their message placed the legal profession at the centre of ongoing national conversations about accountability, constitutional governance and the protection of fundamental freedoms.
The gathering also brought together members of the legal fraternity drawn from the Mt. Kenya region, providing a platform for professional engagement and discussions on issues affecting the country.
A politically significant gathering ahead of 2027
The joint appearance by Sifuna and Gachagua comes amid growing political engagements between leaders associated with different opposition formations as discussions about the country’s political direction ahead of 2027 continue.
The two leaders have previously held public political engagements, including a meeting at Gachagua’s Wamunyoro residence in Nyeri County in October, which attracted attention amid conversations about possible opposition cooperation.
However, their message at Ngemi Cia Watho focused on the responsibility of legal professionals in defending constitutionalism and protecting the rights of Kenyans.
As the country approaches another electoral cycle, questions surrounding the rule of law, institutional independence and respect for fundamental freedoms are likely to remain central to national debate.
For the legal fraternity, the challenge presented at the gathering was clear: remain steadfast in defending the Constitution and ensuring that justice is accessible to all Kenyans, regardless of their political affiliation or social standing.
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