Eric Theuri is the new president of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) after emerging victorious in the Thursday elections.
Theuri garnered 1,811 votes ahead of outgoing Vice President Carolyne Kamende, who also sought the top seat but fell short with 1,085 votes.
Omwanza Ombati came third with 920 votes followed by Mathew Nyabena (745) and Bernhard Ng’etich (452) in fourth and fifth position respectively.
Theuri now steps into the shoes of the outgoing LSK boss Nelson Havi who has dipped his toes into politics and is eyeing the Westlands Parliamentary seat on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party ticket.
Theuri, the former LSK Nairobi branch chairperson, commended the electoral process that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) carried out as he thanked his competitors for conceding defeat.
“All glory to God. Thanks, my worthy competitors for a race well ran and conceding defeat. We forge forward,” said Theuri in a statement after his win.Theuri, in his victory speech, said it is time for unity, adding that the past should be forgotten.
The advocate said he will strive to bring the society back to its glory days and that he will accommodate divergent views and find ways of ensuring the more experienced lawyers and their younger colleagues who feel left out merge and strike a working formula.
Havi took to social media to congratulate his successor as he promised to offer his support and guidance.
“My friend Theuri Eric Njeru, the weight of public office will for 2 years weigh heavily on shoulders as the 50th President of LSK. Unlike my predecessor, I will let you work and support you should you require my counsel. May you succeed where I failed and improve on what I did,” Havi stated.
At the same time, Faith Odhiambo clinched the Vice President position by securing 1,734 votes followed by Ajwang Debra with 1,328 votes and Boniface Akusala with 1,333.