The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has announced demonstrations for Justice following the death of a lawyer attached to the Kenya Forest Service (KFS).
The society has demanded the immediate establishment of a special multi-agency team to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death.
In a press briefing, LSK President Charles Kanjama, scheduled for Friday, July 10, in honour of Advocate Esther Wairimu Keige, whose death was confirmed after weeks of anxious searching, and Advocate Edward Muthee Kariuki, who was found murdered outside his residence in Athi River on July 5.
According to the society , the deaths of the two advocates within days of each other raise serious concerns about the safety of lawyers and cannot be dismissed as isolated incidents.
LSK now wants the government to immediately establish a high-level investigative team comprising the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and other relevant agencies to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths, identify those responsible and uncover any wider network that may have orchestrated the crimes.
It has also called for a comprehensive forensic audit of disputed land acquisition, leasing, and alienation matters handled by the Kenya Forest Service’s legal department over the past 12 months to establish whether Keige’s death was linked to the discharge of her official duties and whether any individuals or entities benefited.
Additionally, the society wants enhanced security measures for advocates serving in public institutions and regulatory agencies, saying many lawyers carry out duties that expose them to criminal syndicates, corruption networks and other unlawful actors.
According to LSK, the nationwide march will begin at the Milimani Law Courts before proceeding to the National Police Service Headquarters, where advocates will present a petition to the Inspector-General of Police calling for urgent investigations and stronger protections for members of the legal profession.
LSK has invited advocates, judicial officers, law students, civil society organisations and members of the public to join the procession, saying the safety of lawyers is a matter of national concern rather than an issue affecting the legal profession alone.
