Maintaining integrity within the legal profession remains a central concern for Kenya’s Judiciary, and recent disciplinary action has once again highlighted this commitment.
A Gazette notice dated October 9 announced that three advocates have been suspended from the Roll of Advocates after being found guilty of professional misconduct by a disciplinary tribunal.
The announcement, signed by Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Winfridah Mokaya, confirmed that the suspensions followed final orders made under Section 69(2) of the Advocates Act.
The affected advocates were subjected to hearings before the tribunal, which concluded that their conduct violated the professional code expected of lawyers.
As a result, they will not be allowed to perform any duties of an advocate for the period of their suspension. This means they are barred from representing clients, appearing in court, or engaging in any legal practice across Kenya without special permission from the Registrar.
The Judiciary emphasized that such measures are necessary to preserve public trust and uphold the standards of the legal profession.
This is not the first time the Judiciary has taken strong action against misconduct in the legal field. In 2023, nine lawyers were removed from the Roll of Advocates after being found guilty of malpractice.
That decision, approved by former Chief Registrar Anne Amadi, was part of a broader effort to ensure discipline among members of the Bar.
Although the specific details of their cases were not made public, the move sent a clear message that unethical behavior would not be tolerated.
Five years earlier, in 2018, twenty advocates were similarly struck off the Roll for misconduct.
These consistent disciplinary efforts demonstrate the Judiciary’s resolve to address professional indiscipline and reinforce accountability.
The Advocates Act allows any person to lodge a complaint against a lawyer whose conduct is deemed unprofessional, disgraceful, or incompatible with the standards of the profession.
Once such complaints are received, they are investigated and, if warranted, prosecuted before the disciplinary tribunal.
The Judiciary seeks to maintain the dignity and credibility of the legal system. Such measures serve as both punishment and deterrence, reminding all legal practitioners of their duty to uphold honesty, fairness, and respect for the law.
