Newly elected Law Society of Kenya (LSK) male representative to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) Macharia Njeru has vowed to work for the lawyers by delivering on his 12-point manifesto.
Mr Njeru garnered 2,738 votes to trounce Prof Tom Ojienda who was defending his seat. Prof Ojienda got 2,545 votes in the elections carried out in 28 centers across the country.0
Lawyer Irungu Gathi got six votes, while Ongoto Mong'are managed 123. A total of 10,185 lawyers were eligible to vote.
The former Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) chairman knocked out Prof Ojienda, who had served for five years since 2013.
"Dear Colleagues, I accept the win with humility. I thank you most sincerely for your support and trust in me. I will await the formal process leading to taking office. Be assured I will abide by my 12 point manifesto which I am confident is implementable. Thank you and God bless," he said in a tweet.
The Thursday polls divided lawyers after Ojienda led well oiled campaigns which overshadowed Macharia's chances. Lawyer Donald Kipkorir accused Prof Ojienda of perpetuating corruption in JSC.
"The #LSKElections was a turning point in elections in Kenya .. Victory of Macharia Njeru was for Integrity ... The other side ran a highly corruptive & monetized campaign that even enlisted Senators .. It was the darkest Chapter in LSK History," he argued.
Once sworn in, Macharia will join 10 other members in the commission chaired by Chief Justice David Maraga.
While Ojienda is yet to speak about his unexpected loss, his closest ally Nelson Havi conceded defeat and urged Macharia to advance the interests of lawyers at the commission.
"My good Friend Don, I have called and congratulated our Friend Macharia Njeru. I have also called our Friend and my client Prof Tom Ojienda to thank him for his service to Advocates at JSC. Why are you always wailing more than the bereaved? Are you Dr Boni Khalwale’s sibling?" he posed.