The Law Society of Kenya (LSK), in collaboration with police, has arrested a woman in Machakos town for allegedly impersonating an advocate at Maweu & Co. Advocates despite not being registered with the society.
The arrest took place during an impromptu crackdown by LSK targeting law firms in Machakos town that are harbouring quacks.
The woman was reportedly performing the duties of an advocate, including swearing and commissioning affidavits, drawing pleadings, and illegally collecting money via her M-Pesa account instead of through the advocate’s client bank account.
LSK officers, led by LSK council member Wavinya Nicholas, acted on tips from its members and the public, who reported suspicions of unqualified individuals operating within the county.
The suspect was caught inside the firm while waiting to engage with clients. She was immediately taken into custody and is expected to face legal action.
“We are here today after reports from the public and some members of LSK of how they had been duped by quacks who are yet to go to law school, have been accredited to practice law or even admitted as advocates,” she said.
Wavinya also cited a worrying rise in touting incidents among registered LSK advocates, who allegedly shelter unqualified individuals as operational managers or ambulance chasers.
She urged advocates to uphold the legal profession’s code of ethics by employing certified and duly registered lawyers.
“Members of LSK, please, you know this is an illegality and we want to remind you to employ certified advocates who have gone through law school and been admitted to the bar,” she noted.
Last month, two people were arrested in Siaya County, six in Bungoma, and two in Garissa for masquerading as lawyers.
The LSK stated that the operation was part of a broader initiative to eliminate quack practitioners and uphold professional integrity in Kenya’s legal sector.
She warned those operating as fake lawyers that LSK will soon catch up with them.
