Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has firmly refused to issue an apology to the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) for his vocal support for Brian Mwenda Ngagi, who faces allegations of practising law without the necessary qualifications and accreditation.
Atwoli’s unyielding stance comes in response to a demand by LSK President Eric Theuri for an immediate apology and the withdrawal of his endorsement of Mwenda.
In a statement on his X account, Atwoli conveyed his position with no room for compromise.
“I am not prepared, willing and available to issue any apology or withdraw my support for Brian Mwenda and calls for Recognition of Prior Learning in the field of Law,” he affirmed.
Atwoli, however, has shifted the focus onto the LSK itself asking them to convene an emergency meeting of the LSK Council and make a public account of the actions taken to address unethical conduct within the legal community.
“Considering many lawyers have made this an issue of ethical values and virtues of the profession, I would like to call upon the LSK President to equally convene an emergency meeting of the LSK Council and report to the general public what they have done or they are doing to handle some rogue members of the LSK who continue to swindle Kenyans millions upon millions,” he asserted.
“If today LSK were to ask Kenyans who have been swindled by lawyers to assemble in stadiums across the country, I am sure that ALL our stadiums, including the ones under construction for AFCON, would be full to capacity,” Atwoli added.
Atwoli blames LSK for fraud within legal field
Atwoli disclosed that his organization has been inundated with countless petitions from Kenyans who claim to have been defrauded by their lawyers of their hard-earned money, with nowhere to turn for recourse.
The blame, according to Atwoli, lies with the LSK for providing protection and immunity to lawyers accused of such malpractice.
He referred to a damning investigative report by NTV last year, titled ‘Advocates of Pain: How Kenyan Lawyers are Swindling their Clients,’ which exposed alleged unethical practices among some lawyers.
Atwoli highlighted that the LSK has yet to provide a public explanation for the claims made in the report.
He also offered to provide the LSK with a list of members who, according to him, continue to defraud their clients. However, he made this offer contingent on the LSK’s assurance that they have the necessary resolve to address such cases.
Atwoli maintained that Brian Mwenda’s case goes beyond questions of integrity and ethical values, asserting that a majority of LSK members would not withstand the same scrutiny.
He framed the issue as one of inclusivity and accessibility in Kenya’s professions, emphasizing the importance of recognizing prior learning and apprenticeship in the field of law.
“Brian’s case cannot be about integrity and other ethical values and virtues that LSK claims to hold dear considering a majority of their members cannot stand the test. This is an issue of inclusivity and accessibility of professions in Kenya and appreciating apprenticeship by implementing Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL),” the COTU boss noted.
