The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has raised serious concerns about the growing harassment of lawyers by police officers, accusing the authorities of using intimidation tactics to interfere with legal processes.
In a powerful statement issued on Wednesday, LSK President Faith Odhiambo criticized the police for targeting lawyers in an apparent attempt to pressure their clients.
She stated that these acts are not isolated but part of a broader plan to weaken legal representation and hinder the pursuit of justice.
According to Odhiambo, several lawyers have reported facing intimidation, including police visits to their homes during late hours of the night. She said these actions are designed to instill fear and discourage advocates from defending their clients vigorously.
Odhiambo warned that if such tactics continue unchecked, they could push Kenya towards becoming an authoritarian state that disregards basic rights and freedoms.
“A very concerning pattern is now emerging,” Odhiambo said. “We are seeing lawyers being threatened and harassed as a way to pressure their clients. This is an outdated but dangerous method to interfere with the legal system. It has no place in a country governed by the rule of law.”
She condemned the actions of police officers who visit lawyers’ homes at night, saying such approaches are not only inappropriate but also illegal.
Odhiambo emphasized that if there is a legitimate reason to question a lawyer or require their cooperation, the proper procedure is to issue formal summons through lawful channels—not to ambush them at night.
“The law provides for due process,” she said. “Lawyers are officers of the court and should be treated with respect. Showing up at their homes in the dead of night is not only disrespectful, but it also violates their rights and threatens the independence of the legal profession.”
Odhiambo urged the police to put an immediate end to what she termed an “unacceptable trend.” She stressed that these intimidation tactics must stop if Kenya is to preserve the integrity of its justice system and protect the constitutional rights of both legal practitioners and their clients.
However, Odhiambo did not name specific lawyers whose homes had been raided or provide further details about the incidents.
These revelations come at a time when concerns about police overreach are growing, particularly among opposition leaders.
Senior Counsel Kalonzo Musyoka, a prominent opposition figure, recently spoke out against what he described as the use of a shadowy abduction unit within the police service aimed at silencing dissent.
“There is a special capture squad operating in the country,” Kalonzo claimed. “We’re guided by what Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said last night — that a secret team exists with the mission of eliminating opposition voices in Kenya.”
Earlier this year, in April, the Law Society of Kenya sent a strongly-worded letter to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) condemning the continued harassment of its members.
The letter, dated April 14 and signed by Eric Kivuva, who serves as the Chairperson of the LSK Nairobi Branch, highlighted an incident where officers from the Kasarani Police Station and the DCI allegedly harassed a lawyer while he was performing his professional duties.
In the letter, Kivuva expressed outrage over the incident, describing it as a serious violation of the law. “The Nairobi Branch condemns in the strongest possible terms the actions of officers from the DCI and Kasarani Police Station.
Their behavior amounts to harassment and intimidation of an advocate who was lawfully carrying out his duties,” the statement read.
The letter also pointed out the illegal nature of demanding confidential client information from lawyers. “It is completely unacceptable and against the law for a lawyer to be forced to reveal information about their client, including their location.
This type of information is protected by legal privilege and must not be disclosed under pressure.”
As concerns rise over these repeated incidents, the LSK has continued to call for respect for the rule of law and the protection of the legal profession.
Odhiambo’s remarks reflect the growing frustration within the legal community over what they see as deliberate efforts to undermine their role in defending justice and upholding constitutional rights.
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