This archive report was first published on 9 August 2019.
On August 8, 2019, during the hearing of the Willie Kimani murder case, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) made a claim that has left prominent criminal defense lawyer Cliff Ombeta fuming. The LSK alleged that Ombeta is not licensed to practice law, a claim that Ombeta vehemently denies.
According to reports, LSK lawyer Stephen Ongaro told Justice Jessie Lessit that Ombeta's certificate had been withdrawn due to insufficient LSK points. However, Ombeta responded swiftly to the allegations, stating that he will sue Ongaro for defamation.
"I'm being attacked for no reason, I have my certificate of practice, all my documents are valid," Ombeta told Kenyans.co.ke. He also claimed that LSK chairman Allen Gichuhi had confirmed that his certificate is valid, and that Gichuhi had even seen his 2019 certificate.
Ombeta, who was not in court on the day of the hearing as he continues to recover from an undisclosed illness, compared himself to maize growing by the roadside that is the envy of every passerby. He stated that the allegations were personal and aimed at removing him from the Willy Kimani murder trial.
LSK president Allen Gichuhi had earlier issued a statement rubbishing the allegations, stating that Ongaro had misguided the court.
