The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is facing sharp criticism from senior lawyers over the confiscation of advocate Judy Koech's client files and work equipment during an ongoing investigation.
Senior lawyers Danstan Omari, Ndegwa Njiru, and Isack appeared in court on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, challenging the DCI's actions as unlawful and disruptive.
The lawyers filed an application seeking the immediate release of confiscated documents, which include government title deeds, personal documents, and work tools essential to Koech's duties as both a land registrar and advocate.
According to an inventory attached to the application, numerous title deeds remain in police custody.
This has left property owners without their documents and Koech unable to meet processing deadlines under the Ministry of Land's charter.
"The owners, some of them who might be here, have no title deeds. And she has no explanation to offer," Omari told the court.
The lawyers argued that the investigation has stalled despite previous court-assisted investigations being closed.
They emphasized that Koech, a principal land registrar and officer of the court, deserves special protection given the sensitive nature of her work.
Omari highlighted the modern reality of remote work, questioning the DCI's approach.
"It seems the DCI does not know that people work from home. Next time they'll arrest judicial officers who have files to write judgments from their home," he stated.
The legal team raised concerns about breached client confidentiality, noting that files unrelated to the investigation were seized.
Ndegwa Njiru further said that a client’s vehicle seized during the raid has yet to be released, even though a court order directed its return.
The lawyers also questioned the seizure of Ksh 500,000 belonging to a client named Francis, arguing there was no clear connection to the alleged forgery being investigated.
The court is expected to rule on whether the seized materials should be returned pending any future charges.
Koech has been arrested several times but never arraigned in court.
