The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has announced the creation of a dedicated investigative team to handle sexual harassment complaints in the legal profession, citing gaps in existing systems and a power imbalance that leaves many young lawyers vulnerable.
The announcement was made by LSK President Faith Odhiambo in an interview on Citizen TV on Tuesday, February 17.
Odhiambo said the investigative team will operate independently of the Advocates Disciplinary Tribunal and the LSK Council.
Its mandate is to gather information and encourage victims to report incidents without fear.
“The unfortunate part is the power imbalance that continues to be, and failure of knowledge of the policies that are there and how you can get help,” she said.
She added that the committee is expected to increase reporting and ensure quicker resolutions.
Her remarks follow protests earlier this month by young lawyers, including pupil advocates and law students, who marched to the LSK offices along Gitanga Road to demand urgent action over alleged harassment by senior colleagues.
Protesters accused the society of failing to adequately protect victims or discipline perpetrators.
Odhiambo acknowledged that current structures face limitations, noting a recent case where the Advocates Disciplinary Tribunal ruled it lacked jurisdiction to handle a sexual harassment complaint because such conduct falls under criminal law.
This highlighted gaps in the profession’s disciplinary framework and delayed responses.
The president emphasized that while the Sexual Harassment and Anti‑Bullying Policy (SHABP) of 2019 provides a framework for handling complaints, many young lawyers remain unaware of their rights and reporting avenues.
She said the new investigative team will help address this knowledge gap and restore confidence in the reporting process.
Odhiambo also indicated the need for tougher sanctions against offenders, stating that current penalties, including suspension, fines, or license revocation, may not be enough to deter misconduct.
“Unless we have stricter sanctions, we will not be able to deal with this once and for all,” she added.
The issue has gained attention in recent weeks due to advocacy by young lawyers and public scrutiny of professional bodies’ handling of sexual harassment allegations within the legal fraternit