The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has accused the police of harassing lawyers.
LSK President Faith Odhiambo claimed that police officers are intimidating lawyers as a way of putting pressure on their clients to achieve certain results in cases.
Odhiambo, in a statement on Wednesday, lamented that some lawyers have been subjected to intimidation tactics, which she views as part of a wider scheme to undermine legal representation to stifle efforts to achieve justice.
Odhiambo warned the police against actions that risk turning Kenya into a dictatorial state where human rights and freedoms are disregarded. She stressed the importance of upholding the Constitution and the rule of law.
"A worrying trend has manifested in intimidation of lawyers as part of a scheme to harass their clients," Odhiambo said. She described such tactics as an old but dangerous attempt to curtail liberties, which should have no place in Kenya's legal system.
She further condemned police officers showing up at lawyers’ homes at night, stating that lawyers should instead be summoned through proper legal channels if required to give statements. Odhiambo called on the police to respect the boundaries set by law.
The LSK president concluded by urging the police to end this emerging practice, stressing that it is unacceptable and must be stopped to preserve the integrity of Kenya’s justice system and protect the rights of legal professionals and their clients.
However, the LSK boss did not delve into the details of lawyers whose houses were raided by the police.
The developments come against the backdrop of opposition leaders, among them Senior Counsel Kalonzo Musyoka, decrying the government's attempts to use an alleged abduction unit within the police to silence dissenting voices.
"There is a capture squad operating in this country. We are guided by what Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said last night — that a special team exists to eliminate opposition in Kenya," Kalonzo stated.
In April this year, LSK wrote a strongly worded letter to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) regarding what it described as unlawful apprehension and harassment of its members.
The letter, dated April 14, Eric Kivuva, the LSK Nairobi Branch Chairperson, denounced the actions of officers from the Kasarani Police Station and the DCI, who reportedly harassed the lawyer while he was conducting his duties.
"The Nairobi Branch condemns in the strongest possible terms the actions of the DCI and Kasarani Police Station, which amount to harassment and intimidation of an advocate in the lawful execution of their professional duties," part of the letter read.
"It is wholly unacceptable and legally impermissible for an advocate to be compelled to divulge client information, including their whereabouts, as this is protected under the law."
