Low Voter Turnout Clouds LSK Elections Despite Candidate Victory

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) held its elections yesterday, culminating in the victory of a candidate known for championing human dignity, justice, and the rule of law. However, the celebrations have been tempered by concerns over extremely low voter turnout.

According to official records, only 8,506 of the 27,000 registered advocates participated in the elections — representing just over 31 percent of the membership. Nearly 18,000 advocates did not cast their votes, raising questions about engagement and the effectiveness of the electoral system.

Dr Reuben Kigame, 2027 presidential aspirant in the elections, highlighted the worrying trend. “How do we explain that the majority of advocates, who are themselves custodians of justice, did not participate in selecting leaders for their own society?” he asked.

Dr Kigame questioned whether the current system, which relies on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), adequately serves the membership. “Lawyers are extremely busy. We need an electoral process that allows them to vote conveniently from wherever they are,” he said.

He suggested that the LSK could explore digital voting solutions, including Blockchain technology, to enable real-time, secure participation. “Why should we not have a command centre at LSK headquarters that allows live voting and results display?” he said.

The low turnout also raises the specter of voter apathy within the profession. Dr Kigame warned that disengagement from internal democratic processes could undermine the society’s relevance and accountability.

As discussions continue, members and observers are calling on the LSK to modernize its electoral process and find ways to ensure that future elections reflect the voice of the entire legal community.