LSK issues closure notices to unauthorised legal offices in crackdown on fake advocates

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has issued closure notices to all offices operating without duly admitted advocates or registered legal assistants, effective immediately.

This follows numerous public complaints about unqualified individuals posing as advocates across the country.

On Friday, the Society, led by its Vice President Mwaura Kabata, Council Member Teresia Wavinya, the co-convener of the Society’s Practice Standards Committee and Siry Kiponda, Chairperson of the LSK Malindi Chapter, conducted a targeted enforcement operation in Malindi, Kilifi County, where several unauthorised legal offices were shut down.

“Upon investigation, the team uncovered cases where clerks were impersonating advocates and handling sensitive legal matters in cyber cafés, an alarming violation of legal ethics and client confidentiality,” the Society said on Friday.

In a statement, the LSK further cautioned that individuals or offices evading inspection will face legal action, after some impersonators reportedly fled upon being tipped off about the operation.

“The LSK urges members of the public to verify the credentials of legal practitioners through the official portal, http://online.lsk.or.ke, and to report any suspicious or unauthorised legal activity to the nearest LSK office,” the statement added.

Kabata reaffirmed the LSK’s unwavering commitment to restoring public trust and safeguarding the dignity and integrity of Kenya’s legal profession.

The operation forms part of a wider national strategy by the LSK Practice Standards and Ethics (PSE) Committee to eradicate unqualified practice and protect the public from legal malpractice.

“In strengthening regulatory oversight, the LSK Council, through the PSE Committee, is empowering all Branches, Chapters, and Centres across the country to operationalise active Practice Standards and Ethics Committees. These committees will receive support and funding to establish Rapid Action Teams (R.A.T.s), enabling swift intervention in matters of professional misconduct and ethical breaches,” the statement said.

Cases of advocate impersonation have been on the rise across the country. The latest incident occurred at the Kisii Law Courts on Thursday during a plea hearing for three suspects arrested in Kisii town for masquerading as advocates and offering legal services in cyber cafés.

During the court session, it was revealed that the suspects’ legal counsel, Peter Ngeri Ouma, did not possess a valid practising certificate, despite having applied for one.

Senior Principal Magistrate Benard Omwansa ordered the police to record a statement from Ngeri as investigations into his conduct commenced.

The three suspects were released on a bond of Sh50,000 each, with the case scheduled for mention on November 13, 2025.

Following the incident, the LSK Kisii Branch vowed to continue its crackdown on masqueraders.

“We are appealing to everyone to remain vigilant. These individuals are not only operating in cyber cafés but are also collecting money and tarnishing the names of our judicial officers,” the branch said.

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Earlier this month, the LSK Nairobi Branch distanced itself from a man identified as Brian Mwenda Njagi, who it said had been masquerading as an advocate and falsely claiming membership of the branch.