The Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has expressed his support for Brian Mwenda, who has been accused of practising law without the traditional law qualifications.
Mwenda was flagged by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), which accused him of representing clients in Kenyan courts without prerequisite qualifications to become an advocate of the High Court.
According to LSK, Mwenda is neither an advocate of the High Court, nor is he a member of the law body and has been using another lawyer’s identity to practice law.
However, according to Atwoli, Mwenda’s impressive win rate in litigation should grant him a place in the legal profession.
“COTU (K) firmly believes in the principle of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), which acknowledges and values the knowledge, skills, and competencies individuals have acquired through non-traditional learning pathways,” Atwoli stated.
“The case of Brian Njagi raises critical questions about the accessibility and inclusivity of professions in Kenya. If, indeed, it’s true that Brian has been practising law and successfully representing clients in legal matters, we strongly advocate for a fair and transparent examination to test his knowledge, skills, and competencies in the field of law.”
