Welfare, money, mentorship: Debra Ajwang’ lays out LSK plan
What you need to know:
- The thought of vying for the VP position first crossed Debra's mind last year, though it wasn't entirely new territory.
- In 2022, she contested the same seat and lost by a narrow margin of just 300 votes.
Growing up, Debra Ajwang' was the child in her neighbourhood who would always fight for other children—whether defending them from aggressors or even from their own parents.
Others noticed this protective instinct, and it planted something in her mind: she could be a defender. That early impulse would become the foundation of a legal career now poised at a pivotal moment.
Today, as a candidate for Vice President of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), Debra carries that same protective instinct—only now, she's fighting for thousands of advocates navigating a profession in crisis.
"As I grew up, I developed an interest in courtroom drama. I loved seeing how lawyers broke down cases and both parties argued them out," she recalls.
That childhood fascination evolved into years of service within the LSK, where Debra has worked across multiple committees; the Young Lawyers Committee, In-House Lawyers Committee, Continuous Professional Development Committee, and the Advocates Benevolent Association (ABA). It's this breadth of experience, she says, that has shown her what the society truly needs.
A second attempt
The thought of vying for the VP position first crossed Debra's mind last year, though it wasn't entirely new territory. In 2022, she contested the same seat and lost by a narrow margin of just 300 votes.
"I left it at that," she says. "But in my current position as a board member of the ABA, many people approached me asking me to make a comeback."
If elected, Debra wants to fundamentally change how the institution operates. Top of her agenda is clarifying the balance between the roles of the secretariat and the council.
"Sometimes there are overlaps and unclear areas. The council is not supposed to be involved in the day-to-day running of the LSK," she explains.
Follow the money
Financial transparency is another critical priority. With constant complaints from members about how funds are managed, Debra wants to create clear systems for financial reporting and accountability.
"For instance, there's no reason why we shouldn't be filing directors' remuneration. It's a requirement by the Capital Markets Authority. Why should it be a secret how much we're paying our council members? It's coming from our money," she emphasises
She also plans to conduct a comprehensive survey to identify members' pain points, covering both practice and welfare matters.
For young, struggling advocates and law students, Debra promises her leadership will provide opportunities, mentorship and training; particularly specialised training that can help them enter niche fields, thereby expanding their options and income-generating potential.
"The other thing is corporate governance. If an institution is run properly, it translates to the members. Something as simple as how phone calls and emails are managed makes a difference," she notes.
Understanding the role
The role of LSK Vice President focuses specifically on staff and member welfare, as well as financial management, whilst the president manages the entire council.
According to Debra, effective leadership in the legal profession requires understanding stakeholders' needs and developing practical, sustainable solutions.
"Secondly, we're very diverse in the legal space, so appreciating generational differences is very important," she adds.
Once elected, Debra says that during her tenure, in collaboration with the president, she will ensure the rule of law is upheld by all actors—both private and state.
Protecting the vulnerable
For vulnerable groups—women, children and persons with disabilities—Debra shares that the LSK will work in collaboration with other institutions that deal with these matters,
such as Cradle and Fida Kenya, amongst others.
On the gender pay gap in the legal profession, she says the LSK will develop guidelines on remuneration structures across different law firms.
Tackling sexual harassment
Having personally dealt with a case where her mentee was being harassed but only informed her after leaving the firm, Debra says that during her tenure as VP, she will ensure the LSK's sexual harassment policy is rigorously enforced.
"One of the things I'll propose is whistleblowing, so those cases can be investigated and action taken. Secondly, enhancing self-reporting and compliance by firms on an annual basis. Also, requiring firms to have their own sexual harassment policies," she explains.
For Debra, the journey from playground defender to potential LSK Vice President has been driven by one consistent thread — an unwavering commitment to standing up for those who need protection.
