An advocate seeking election to the Council of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has lost an appeal challenging her disqualification from the upcoming polls.
Kinara Kwamboka, who was vying for the position of Member of the Council of the LSK (2026–2028), Coast Representative, was initially disqualified after her nomination papers were found to be invalid.
The LSK Election Board ruled that Kwamboka’s nomination documents were not signed by two nominators, a mandatory requirement under the election regulations.
Appeal Rejected
Kwamboka subsequently lodged an appeal seeking to overturn the disqualification, arguing for an opportunity to correct the defect.
However, the Election Board dismissed her complaint and upheld the earlier determination, finding that it lacked the legal authority to permit post-deadline rectification of nomination papers.
“The Board holds that it has no authority to allow the Complainant to post facto rectify the defect in her initial nomination paper by submitting a new nomination paper duly signed by two nominators after the deadline of 6th January 2026, as this would amount to re-opening the nomination process,” the Board ruled.
Board Cites Legal Limits
The decision was made by the Election Board comprising Joyce Majiwa (Chairperson), Dr. Owiso Owiso, Dr. Koki Muli, Wambua Kilonzo, Pauline Kamunya, Ruth Hinga, and Austine Omondi.
The Board emphasized that its mandate under Regulation 32(1) is strictly limited to scrutinizing nomination papers as submitted before the deadline, and does not extend to allowing corrections after the close of nominations.
It further warned that exercising discretion in favour of Kwamboka would prejudice validly nominated candidates and undermine the integrity of the LSK electoral framework.
Way Forward
With the appeal dismissed, Kwamboka is now barred from contesting the LSK Council seat in the 2026–2028 term unless she pursues further legal remedies outside the Election Board.