President William Ruto with LSK President Faith Odhiambo and East African Law Society Council led by President Ramadhan Abubakar Mukira at State House, Nairobi on January 14, 2026/PCS

President William Ruto on Wednesday met with the East African Law Society Council, led by President Ramadhan Abubakar Mukira at State House.

Also present in the meeting was Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo.

Ruto said the EALS reaffirmed its commitment to supporting cross-border commerce, promoting the rule of law and providing legal guidance on the region’s key policies.

Read Also
Coach Matano impressed, Siraj finds form and purpose at KCB Football
Yego seeks golden continental exit in Accra showpiece Athletics
TOUCHLINE COLUMN: Sh42.4m storm exposes fragile foundations of Kenyan football governance Football

“We must continue strengthening it to meet international standards and to grow into a mature institution that transcends individuals and serves future generations,” he said.

He acknowledged that legal practice in the East African Community continues to evolve as regional integration deepens. 

Enjoying this article? Subscribe for unlimited access to premium sports coverage.
View Plans

Ruto attributed this to the Common Market Protocol enabling the free movement of legal services and mutual recognition of legal qualifications.

President William Ruto in a meeting with LSK President Faith Odhiambo and East African Law Society Council led by President Ramadhan Abubakar Mukira at State House, Nairobi on January 14, 2026/PCS

EALS is the apex regional bar Association of East Africa jointly founded in 1995 by a group of lawyers with the support of the leadership of the national Bar Associations of the member states.

According to information in its website, EALS’s membership stretches over 42,000 lawyers and comprises of all the national bars in the East African Community.

These include the LSK, Tanganyika Law Society, Uganda Law Society, Zanzibar Law Society, Rwanda Bar Association, Burundi Bar Association, South Sudan Bar Association and the Ethiopian Federal Advocates Association.

The membership is both institutional as well as individual.

One of its objectives is to fast tracks the integration of East African communities through targeted support to cross-border commerce, the legal profession, civil societies, business communities and governments.

President William Ruto in a meeting with LSK President Faith Odhiambo and East African Law Society Council led by President Ramadhan Abubakar Mukira  at State House, Nairobi on January 14, 2026/PCS
President William Ruto with LSK President Faith Odhiambo and East African Law Society Council President Ramadhan Abubakar Mukira at State House, Nairobi on January 14, 2026/PCS