The Law Society of Kenya (LSK), on Monday, June 19, raised the alarm over a rise in cases of unlawful arrests of advocates across the country as disputes over police promotions ensued.
While speaking to the media, LSK President Erick Theuri urged the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) to protect advocates handling the cases.
According to Theuri, actions by the Inspector General of Police, Japhet Koome, to promote 507 officers above the superintendent rank violated the Constitution.
"We are concerned that this growing trend is intended to impede our members' ability to provide competent services to the public. The actions threaten the rule of law and the administration of justice.
"Such actions demonstrate that the IG is uncontrollable, that he is on a frolic of his own to assume powers that he does not have, and therefore, it renders all of us unsafe because he cannot restrain himself," Theuri lamented.
As a result, Theuri stated that LSK would petition the appointments to allow the High Court to rebuke the actions of the Inspector General. He also warned that the promotions could be grounds for ousting the IG from office.
He called on advocates who were being threatened or intimidated to seek help from the society.
“The actions by the Inspector General of police amount to a serious violation of the Constitution and is grounds for removing the Inspector General from office. The Law Society is apprehensive that the actions of the Inspector General will create confusion.
“This is a call to all our members facing intimidation from any security agencies to let us know so that together, we can challenge these unfortunate steps that we are witnessing within the justice sector," added Theuri.
The stalemate between the IG and the National Police Service Commission, which accused Koome of bypassing its mandate, saw those affected seek President William Ruto's intervention.
On June 11, Koome directed police officers not to apply for promotions advertised by the National Police Service Commission (NPSC).
NPSC Chairman, Eliud Kinuthia, on June 6, had also threatened to discipline promoted officers he accused of obeying unlawful orders.
