The Law Society of Kenya on Wednesday, February 24, conducted a crackdown on fake lawyers it alleged had been hoodwinking and defrauding citizens of Gatundu South in Kiambu County.
Speaking to journalists, Thika LSK Secretary Stephen Wanjiru, said that the three had offices in Gatundu town, from where they carried out their activities. They used brand names like, “Mwanjo & Company Ltd Tax” and “Tabitha Njuru C/O Ngonyo Munyua & Company Advocate”.
The three imposters were nabbed following a report filed with the authorities. The locals claimed to have been deceived by the three and deprived of their money.
The Thika region LSK chairperson Daniel Gachau said that investigations are underway to nab more imposters as it is believed that there are more of them.
“We have witnesses who are ready to testify and support our case. We are sending a strong warning that lawyers are self-governing and presenting institutions. We have systems within us to catch those who are errant advocates,” said Gachau.
The LSK secretary said that they would not allow imposters to ruin their name and the reputation of their profession.
“When we were elected as leaders of LSK we vowed to defend and protect our sources of livelihood as lawyers, and defend the institutions where citizens would come to seek justice,” said Wanjiru.
In order for one to become a certified lawyer in Kenya, one has to acquire an education from an institution recognized by the Council of Legal Education in Kenya.
This takes four years after which they graduate with a Bachelor's degree in law, then attend the Kenya School of Law for two years.
At the Kenya School of Law, one undergoes an advocates training program which is conducted for one year in-house after which one moves to pupillage which is a 12-month training period for those aiming to qualify as barristers (a person called to the bar and entitled to practice as an advocate, particularly in the higher courts), usually spent in a barristers' chambers.
This is divided into two distinct six-month periods, where during the first six months, one shadows the cases of an experienced barrister after which, in the other six months one may take on work of their own.
