About Peter Wanyama

Peter Wanyama (PMO) is a seasoned Nairobi lawyer with a noteworthy practice in constitutional law and policy and legislative development. His career accolades include taking part in setting up the Legal Audit practice in Kenya through the Kenya School of Law CPD program, developing first drafts for the Land Bill, Community Land Bill, National Land Commission Bill and Land Registration Bill amongst many other Bills of Parliament and suing the government in an impressive 97 Constitutional Petitions on matters devolution. Peter Wanyama is a candidate for the position of the Presidency of the Law Society of Kenya, 2024.

7-Steps Guide for Young Lawyers Applying for Prosecuting Cousel Positions at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

DPP has advertised for 86 positions of prosecuting Counsel. I estimate more than 500 candidates will apply for the job. Apart from regional balance, advocates will certainly be required to exhibit strong trial and intellectual capabilities. Here are a few pointers

1. Return to your Year 2 or 3 notes or get a book on criminal procedure: Refresh your memory on pertinent legal issues in the law of crime, criminal processes, and evidence law. They will ask you simple yet consequential questions such as the applicability of Tuwamoi Versus Uganda, Woolmington Versus DPP etc. You will explain what a trial within a trial is.
2. Read and thoroughly understand contemporary jurisprudence of the Supreme Court in key cases. Don’t go into an interview without reading the leading case of Muruatetu. Be capable of analysing the Dande and Praxides Saisi cases and pushing a view that protects the constitutional powers of the DPP.
3. A prosecuting Counsel will be required to defend constitutional Petitions and Judicial Review cases that challenge the decision of the DPP to charge. Explain the pragmatic strategies you will adopt to defend these cases. Appraise yourself for key judgements on cases that DPP lost and won.
4. Understand the DPP processes: Don’t go into an interview without reading the pertinent guidelines on the decision to charge.
5. Be intellectually strong during the interview: Express yourself well. Remember speech whether oral or written is a sign of intellectual health.
6. Exhibit people skills and a high degree of emotional intelligence during the interview. Remember, to the distinctive.
7. There is a reason why the DPP is advertising for counsel. So, during the interview be flexible.

In conclusion, indicate the willingness to work in remote parts of Kenya. You will be ranked last if you indicate that you prefer Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Eldoret or the major urban areas. Indicate willingness to work in courts in Mandera, Isiolo, Mwingi, Lodwar, Garissa, Wajir, Kwale, Samburu, Baringo, West Pokot etc. Once you are inside- you will benefit from the 3-year transfer policy. Don’t ask me why I know these things.

More About Peter Wanyama

• Who is Peter Manyonge Wanyama, and what is his vision for the LSK presidency?

Peter Wanyama has practised law for 16 years. He has handled precedent-setting cases at the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court in the Constitution law of devolution, election Petitions, and other complex cases. He has a background too in policy and legislative development. He is vying for the presidency of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK). His core vision entails a significant shift in LSK’s focus towards protecting legal practice and deepening new practice areas.

• What are Peter Wanyama’s qualifications and background?

Peter Wanyama graduated from Moi University in 2005 and Kenya School of Law in 2006. He was admitted to the bar in 2007. Thereafter, he worked at the law firm of Mohammed Muigai Advocates, where he was engaged in strategic law reform assignments in the water sector, telecommunications sector, agricultural sector, family law sector, road sector, energy sector, insurance sector, and capital markets sector. In 2011, Mr. Wanyama was engaged by the law firm of Rachier & Amollo as a consultant. In this capacity- he developed the zero drafts of the Land Bill, Community Land Bill, National Land Commission Bill, and Land Registration Bill. This background explains his vast knowledge on land issues. He also drafted the TSC Bill. All the bills were elected into law. Between 2013-2017, Mr Wanyama was instructed by the Council of Governors and County governments to sue the National Government in 97 Constitutional Petitions. Mr. Wanyama has a strong trial presence. Devolution is safe because of the Petitions he filed.

• How does Peter Wanyama plan to achieve the economic empowerment of lawyers?

Wanyama aims to achieve economic empowerment for lawyers by expanding the legal workspace. This involves creating opportunities for lawyers to engage in diverse legal work beyond the traditional scope, potentially exploring new areas or sectors that offer legal services. New areas include; policy and legislative advisory work for County Governments, food safety, trade development, agricultural development, manufacturing sector growth, climate change litigation etc. These sectors require lawyers. He also proposes to push for structured legal reforms to bring back WIBA practice and strengthen insurance practice, immigration, and tax practices.

• What specific initiatives or strategies does Peter Wanyama propose for this shift?

Wanyama’s strategies involve advocating for policies that enable lawyers to participate in emerging legal fields as aforesaid. Policy and legal reforms require hard tactics in negotiations. Mr Wanyama’ is very good at this. From August 2021 to July this year- Mr Wanyama was engaged by the LSK to negotiate with the government where he strongly pushed for the removal of lawyers as reporting agents in suspected money laundering cases. He used extremely very hard strategies to negotiate. At the end of the day, LSK members won.

• How does Peter Wanyama’s vision align with the current needs of the legal community in Kenya?

Wanyama’s vision resonates with the evolving demands of the legal landscape in Kenya. With changing economic dynamics, there’s a growing need for lawyers to diversify their practice areas and explore new opportunities, which aligns with Wanyama’s goal of economic empowerment through an expanded legal workspace. Specifically, it is estimated that in the next 10 years, the legal market will get more than 30,000 new advocates. Thus, protecting and deepening the legal market is deeply peremptory and important.

• What distinguishes Peter Wanyama’s candidacy from other contenders for the LSK presidency?

Wanyama’s emphasis on economic empowerment through an expanded legal workspace sets him apart. While other candidates focus on traditional aspects of legal representation, Wanyama’s vision offers a forward-looking approach that could significantly impact the profession’s economic well-being.

• What challenges might Peter Wanyama face in implementing his proposed changes within the LSK?

Implementing such a shift in focus may face challenges related to policy changes, existing structures within the LSK, and resistance to change from certain quarters. Wanyama will navigate these challenges through strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and effective communication of the benefits of his proposed changes.

• What are the emerging areas of legal practice that Mr Wanyama has helped to strengthen?

In 2010, Mr Wanyama helped to set up the Legal Audit practice in Kenya through the Kenya School of Law CPD programme where he was a pioneer facilitator. Later, the GoK picked it up and directed all state corporations to routinely undertake legal audits. Today, many lawyers earn a living from this practice. Mr. Wanyama also pioneered the practice of training and policy and legislative support for County Governments.