Peter Wanyama pitches global-focused reforms as LSK race gathers pace
Law Society of Kenya (LSK) presidential aspirant Peter Wanyama has stepped up his campaign with a bold reform agenda aimed at repositioning the Society as a hub for advanced legal training in infrastructure, project finance and emerging areas of practice.
Speaking during the launch of the Kabaras Wakili Association (KAWA), Wanyama said the LSK must urgently recalibrate its programmes to prepare Kenyan advocates for complex transactions in structured finance, public-private partnerships (PPPs) and large-scale infrastructure projects, many of which increasingly require green and sustainability compliance reviews.
“The future of legal practice is no longer in routine litigation alone. Kenyan advocates must be equipped to handle structured finance, PPPs and complex infrastructure transactions,” Wanyama said, adding that the initiative is achievable with “strategic leadership at the Law Society of Kenya.”
He outlined plans to leverage international networks to mobilise funding and technical support, citing Dr Bernard Chitunga, a Kenyan working at the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in Beijing and a former official at the African Development Bank (AfDB), as a key link to global infrastructure financiers and partners in Asia.
Dr Chitunga, who is also the Chancellor of The Co-operative University of Kenya, who attended the event, reinforced Wanyama’s message by urging lawyers to balance legal oversight with development imperatives. He cautioned that poorly structured or prolonged litigation can derail major projects.
“Lawyers must exercise caution when pursuing legal suits that have the potential to stall major infrastructure projects of national and regional importance,” Dr Chitunga said.
He added that disputes should increasingly be anticipated and resolved early through sound project structuring rather than lengthy court battles that raise costs and delay delivery.
Wanyama said such insights underscore the need for specialised training, arguing that a better-equipped bar would protect the public interest while supporting sustainable development.
“If elected, I will ensure Kenyan lawyers are not spectators but key players in major regional and international projects,” he said.
The event drew more than 80 lawyers and was attended by Malava MP Asman Ndakwa, reflecting growing interest in the LSK elections slated for February.
Senior Counsel Charles Kanjama, who also addressed the gathering, promised major reforms to protect legal practice, warning that the profession is increasingly being encroached upon by what he termed “forces of the status qua.”
“We need bold reforms that defend advocates and restore the authority of the Law Society,” Kanjama said.
The launch of the Kabaras Lawyers Association doubled as a campaign stop in an increasingly competitive LSK race.
