According to Steven Mbugua, a Council Member of the LSK, the suspects had been offering legal services using the credentials of legitimate lawyers without their knowledge. Their arrest follows recurrent concerns from members of the public who doubted their authenticity as legal professionals.
“We have managed to arrest two persons in support of the police from the Malindi Police Station, and it is so unfortunate that these people have been operating for quite a while,” Mbugua said. “We want to give a warning to all the people who have been operating with these guys that the LSK is very vibrant, especially on inspections of these masqueraders, and we shall work with the police to reinforce this crackdown.”
Police placing a suspect in handcuffs during an arrest.
Mbugua emphasized that the arrests are part of a nationwide operation to weed out fake lawyers and restore public confidence in Kenya’s legal system.
“The LSK will continue reinforcing its partnership with security agencies and local leadership to guarantee professionalism, transparency, and efficiency in the legal system,” he added.
Speaking to the press on November 12, Law Society of Kenya Chairperson for the Kisii Chapter, Davin Biyaki, confirmed that police recovered fake stamps and seals of existing law firms from the woman.
“Some rogue members of the public have been opening up shops and purporting to be offering legal services. Some people approached this rogue individual to seek legal services, and she stamped and signed documents, and she was paid,” Biyaki said.
“People have been unknowingly approaching fake lawyers and seeking legal services. Police were able to arrest one woman, and she was charged with impersonation because she was using the name of another advocate to offer the services,” Fundi explained.
