Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga has directed the Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome to expedite investigations into Brian Mwenda who was accused of impersonating a lawyer and practising law without a licence.
In a statement dated Saturday, the DPP explained that his office will review the files submitted after investigations are completed, with the view to prosecute the suspect.
Ingonga maintained that his office would carry out an independent review of the case after receiving the file from the police.
"Upon receipt of the inquiry file, the ODPP shall undertake an independent review of the evidence, guided by the provisions of the Constitution, the relevant statutory provisions and the ODPP Decision to Charge Guidelines, 2019 and give appropriate directions.
"We shall give an update on this matter as and when the resultant inquiry file is received by the ODRP," read the statement in part.
Further, the DPP also directed the IG to investigate other individuals who were impersonating lawyers.
He explained that the legal profession was critical in the country, and Kenyans depend on lawyers for advice and representation in court.
"Impersonators threaten not only the legal practice but the larger access to justice. Indeed, they pose a serious threat to the practice of law and are likely to have committed various offences under the laws of Kenya," the DPP added.
"It is noteworthy that the legal profession is key to the fair administration of justice and peaceful settlement of disputes in our judicial and quasi-judicial institutions. Kenyans therefore expect nothing less than utmost integrity within legal practice."
The DPP issued the directive hours after Mwenda emerged for the first time after police launched a manhunt.
Mwenda was in the company of former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, who promised to escort him to surrender to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) next week.
“We are going to bail this guy out. DCI we are going to produce this guy to your offices, probably on Monday or Tuesday for him to record a statement,” Sonko stated.
Mwenda is accused of impersonating a lawyer and was also recorded representing clients in court and attending Law Society of Kenya events.
While a section of leaders including COTU boss Francis Atwoli have offered to support Mwenda, other legal professionals have warned that he could face serious repercussions for impersonating a lawyer.
"My sympathies go to Brian Mwenda. He may get all the social media support and encouragement from Atwoli and Sonko but sadly, he can never be admitted as an advocate of the High Court of Kenya, on account of prior impersonation. He can try Uganda and Tanzania," Senior Counsel Otiende Amollo stated.
