This archive report was first published on 16 August 2021.
On August 16, 2021, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) released a statement accusing the government of interfering with its functions. The statement, dated August 16, 2021, alleged that elected leaders of LSK were unable to access the society's offices due to a standoff involving law enforcement officers.
According to the LSK, the government had on six occasions between June 26 and August 10, 2021, curtailed entry into the offices of the LSK by the vice president, members, and the president. The society claimed that the government was retaliating against it for several reasons, including the expulsion of Attorney General Kihara Kariuki and Solicitor General Kennedy Ogeto from the society for misadvising the president on the appointment of judges.
The LSK also alleged that the government was retaliating against it for advising President Uhuru Kenyatta to dissolve parliament for failure to enact laws in implementation of the two-thirds gender rule. Additionally, the society claimed that the government was retaliating against it for its memorandum to parliament on proposed amendments to the Constitution, popularly known as the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).
However, the government has yet to respond to the allegations. The standoff at the LSK offices has been ongoing, with armed police officers, two wrangling factions, break-ins, and a bitter exchange of words.
LSK President Nelson Havi alleged that police officers were interfering with the society's meetings, causing chaos. He questioned the government's intentions and asked why they always wanted to send officers to the LSK offices.
LSK CEO Mercy Wambua, who was sent on compulsory leave on July 26, 2021, after being suspended from her position over alleged gross misconduct and incompetence, alleged that she was locked out of the office. However, she later told the media that they were allowed to access the grounds.
