Wamuzi News Ke
In a dramatic legal showdown unfolding at the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen have launched a fierce legal counteroffensive this week, challenging a petition seeking to strike them off the Roll of Advocates — a move that could strip them of their legal licenses and undermine their political careers.
The petition, filed by Nairobi lawyer Kepha Ojijo on June 30, accuses both Kindiki and Murkomen of gross professional misconduct. The complaint argues that, in their capacity as public officers, they oversaw and sanctioned human rights violations—particularly violent crackdowns on Gen Z-led protests—thereby breaching the constitutional oath all advocates swear to uphold.
Ojijo’s petition charges that both men sanctioned police brutality, extrajudicial killings, and enforced disappearances during their recent tenures. These allegations, he contends, amount to actions unbecoming of an advocate and justify their removal from the professional roll.
Swift Legal Retaliation
Shortly after the petition was filed, both Kindiki and Murkomen signaled they would not go quietly. The duo has engaged top LSK and High Court legal counsel, asserting the accusations are politically motivated and aimed at derailing their public service .
Their legal teams argue that no formal disciplinary proceedings have taken place, and that the motion fails to account for due process. Sources within the LSK indicate the respondents are preparing to challenge jurisdiction, timing, and factual basis — claiming any allegations of wrongdoing are under investigation or subject to judicial oversight.
Political Stakes Intensify
The optics could not be sharper: Kindiki (Deputy President) and Murkomen (Interior CS) hold some of the country’s highest offices — both possess high-level security authority and retain their status as licensed advocates. Losing their positions on the Roll would not only damage their legal credibility but also cast doubt on their legitimacy in office.
Political analysts are watching closely. “This isn’t merely a legal skirmish — it’s a strategy with political implications,” says one observer. “Should the tribunal proceed, the timing and public relations play could influence Kenya’s fragile law-and-order narrative before the 2027 elections.”
LSK Under Scrutiny
The Law Society’s decision will be pivotal. Already facing public pressure—especially from human rights advocates—LSK President Faith Odhiambo is being urged to act swiftly and transparently. Delay or perceived bias could spark accusations of politicisation from both government and civic society actors.
Under the Advocates Act, the Disciplinary Tribunal may suspend, fine, or strike off advocates only after exhaustive investigations and hearings. If Kindiki and Murkomen are found culpable, reinstatement would require a legally mandated five-year hiatus.
What Comes Next
The tribunal has yet to schedule its first hearing. But now that defects in the petition have been flagged, expectations are mounting for a formal reply from the respondents within 14 days, followed by arguments over admissibility and merits.
Observers warn that protracted legal wrangling may erode public trust—not only in Kindiki and Murkomen, but in the entire legal-political establishment. And with 2027 looming, the stakes could hardly be higher.
