Newly elected LSK President Charles Kanjama /LEAH MUKANGAI
In the often combative world of Kenyan legal and public affairs, Senior Counsel Charles Kanjama has built a reputation not through theatrics but through calm authority, intellectual depth, and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law.
His election as the 52nd President of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has now thrust him into the national spotlight, marking a defining moment in a career shaped by discipline, public service, and strategic legal thinking.
He garnered 3,728 votes, beating his close rivals Peter Wanyama, who came second with 2,616 votes, and Mwaura Kabata, who obtained 2,086 votes.
Kanjama takes over from Faith Odhiambo, who has been at the helm of the body.
For many within the legal fraternity, Kanjama’s rise was less of a surprise and more of a culmination.
A seasoned advocate with decades of experience, he has long been regarded as one of the country’s most thoughtful constitutional lawyers, a practitioner who prefers substance over noise and solutions over confrontation.
Kanjama steps into this job with a résumé that blends litigation, governance, finance, policy, and institutional leadership into a rare professional mix.
He is not only a courtroom advocate but also a dispute resolution specialist, corporate governance expert, educator, and public policy thinker whose career reflects steady intellectual investment and service to the profession.
Following his election, Kanjama thanked all his supporters as he vowed to work with everyone, including his rivals. He noted that the leadership of LSK matters not just to lawyers, but to Kenyans as a whole.
“I would like to thank all voters and the members of the Law Society of Kenya, those who supported my candidature and those who voted for my opponents and me. I express my confidence in working together with opponents and supporters. We believe in a strong LSK for all,” he said.
Kanjama takes over from Faith Odhiambo, who has been at the helm since 2024. Odhiambo took over from Eric Theuri.
Early life and academic foundation
While Kanjama keeps much of his early personal life private, his academic trajectory reveals a strong grounding in discipline and ambition.
Raised in Kenya, he developed an early interest in law, governance, and public systems, interests that would later shape his professional direction.
He earned his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree from the University of Nairobi in 2001, graduating with Second Class Upper Division honours. He then completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Law at the Kenya School of Law in 2002 and was admitted to the Kenyan Bar in June 2003.
His academic journey extends well beyond legal training. Between 1998 and 2001, he qualified as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) through KASNEB and later became a member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK).
He went on to qualify as a Certified Public Secretary (CPS) in 2005, joining the Institute of Certified Public Secretaries of Kenya (ICPSK).
Earlier, he obtained a Higher Diploma (IMIS) from Strathmore College in 1998, giving him a strong foundation in business and information systems.
He is currently pursuing a Master of Laws (LL.M) at the University of Nairobi, focusing on urban land value tax reform, and has also undertaken a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Strathmore Business School, researching factors that drive law firm success.
Additionally, he is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb), strengthening his credentials in arbitration and mediation.
This diverse academic portfolio uniquely positions him at the intersection of law, finance, governance, and public policy.
Legal career and professional practice
With more than 21 years of practice, Kanjama’s career reflects both breadth and strategic focus. He began his legal journey as a legal assistant and associate at Ochieng’, Onyango, Kibet & Ohaga Advocates, where he gained grounding in litigation and advisory work.
In 2006, he co-founded Muma & Kanjama Advocates, where he serves as Managing Partner, Head of the Disputes Department, and Head of Support Services.
The firm has built a reputation in constitutional and commercial litigation, tax advisory, corporate governance consultancy, corporate secretarial services, governance audits, intellectual property and ICT law, as well as arbitration and mediation.
His multidisciplinary training enables him to approach legal disputes not just as courtroom contests but as governance, compliance, and risk management challenges.
Leadership within the Law Society of Kenya
Kanjama’s influence within the legal profession has been particularly evident through his leadership in the Law Society of Kenya.
He served as the inaugural chairperson of the LSK Nairobi Branch from 2016 to 2020, helping establish and operationalise the branch following the Society’s decentralisation.
During this period, he also chaired the LSK Branch Chairs Caucus (2017–2020), coordinating leadership across the country. Earlier, he served as a Council Member and Treasurer of the LSK between 2012 and 2014, contributing to the Society’s governance and financial oversight.
He also chaired the Nairobi Legal Awards Trust, an initiative aimed at recognising and promoting excellence among legal practitioners.
His campaign for the LSK presidency for the 2026–2028 term centred on principled leadership, professional integrity, and strengthening the Society’s role as a defender of the rule of law, themes that resonated strongly with members.
Public policy and governance engagement
Beyond the bar, Kanjama has been actively involved in institutional governance and public policy.
He serves as Trust Administrator and Secretary of the Strathmore Educational Trust, overseeing governance and compliance for one of the country’s leading educational institutions.
He is also Chairman of the Kenya Christian Professionals Forum (KCPF), where he promotes ethical leadership and values-driven professional practice.
Over the years, he has served on various boards and committees focused on legal reform, corporate governance, and institutional strengthening, contributing to policy conversations that extend beyond the courtroom.
Educator and thought leader
Kanjama is also deeply involved in legal education and professional development.
He lectures at Strathmore University, teaching courses in Criminal Law, Legal Systems, Healthcare Law, and public policy.
His scholarly contributions include legal digests and publications covering constitutional law, tax, and family law.
He is also a regular commentator in national media, where he helps the public understand complex constitutional and governance issues during major national debates.
Colleagues describe him as an intellectual who combines academic depth with practical experience, a rare blend in professional leadership.
Senior Counsel recognition
In 2022, Charles Kanjama was conferred the rank of Senior Counsel, one of the most prestigious honours in Kenya’s legal profession.
The title is reserved for advocates who demonstrate outstanding professional excellence, integrity, and significant contribution to the development of law.
The recognition affirmed his standing as a leading litigator, institutional leader, and contributor to legal reform.
As he assumes the presidency of the Law Society of Kenya, Kanjama takes office at a time when the profession faces growing competition, technological change, evolving regulatory demands, and heightened public expectations. He ran his campaign under the acronym “RIPE” (Rule of Law, Integrity, Practice & Welfare, and Engagement).
He positioned himself as a “steady hand” focused on ethical leadership and finishing the Wakili Towers project, whose groundbreaking was overseen by the outgoing president.
What distinguishes him is the consistency of his journey: continuous learning, institutional service, and disciplined professional growth. Law, finance, governance, teaching, and policy converge in his career, creating a leadership profile built not on visibility alone, but on substance.