Moi University alumni want shake up of legal education council

Moi University School of Law Alumni national chairman Lawrence Karanja (centre) with other members address journalists in Nakuru on October 1, 2015 reacting to orders by Council of Legal Education to close the school. The university's alumni want the council reconstituted. PHOTO | SULEIMAN MBATIAH | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Moi University alumni want the LSK to nominate only two members to the board instead of three.

  • The board is supposed to have 10 members chaired by an individual with at least 15 years experience in legal education and training, appointed by the President.

Moi University alumni have challenged the composition of the Council of Legal Education, saying it is not properly constituted.

In a letter to Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi, the Law School alumni have demanded the reconstitution of the council board.

They want Dr Matiang’i to advise the President to appoint a chairman of the council, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) to be ordered to nominate two members instead of the current three.

They also want public and private universities to nominate one member each and the council directed to put on hold its operations  until it is properly constituted.

TRAINING

Previously, the chairman was appointed by the Attorney-General.

According to the amended law, the board is supposed to have 10 members chaired by an individual with at least 15 years experience in legal education and training, appointed by the President.

Other members include the principal secretary responsible for legal education, the PS for Finance, the AG, the Chief Justice, two advocates nominated by the LSK, an individual who teaches law nominated by public universities, an individual who teaches law nominated by private universities, and the secretary to the council.

Lawyer Macharia Karanja  of Mirugi Kariuki and Company Advocates for the alumni said the Council of Legal Education as currently constituted offends the law. “Upon proper constitution of the council, direct the council to competitively recruit its chief executive officer,” he said,