A court in Siakago, Embu County has sentenced a woman to two years in prison after she was found guilty of falsely posing as an advocate of the High Court of Kenya and defrauding a client.

The accused, Jane Kiura, was convicted after the court heard that she misrepresented herself as a lawyer between November 19 and December 2, 2024, in Siakago town within Mbeere North Sub-County.

According to prosecution counsel Fridah Makena, Kiura falsely claimed she was practising under I. Mwai, Advocate and Commissioner for Oaths, and convinced a client that she could assist in processing a title deed.

The court heard that Kiura obtained Ksh 229,000 from John Ngari after leading him to believe she was a legitimate advocate of the High Court.

Delivering the ruling, Resident Magistrate J.N. Githiaga said the prosecution had proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.

“The evidence before the court is clear that the accused obtained money by false pretences and impersonated an advocate of the High Court of Kenya,” the magistrate ruled.

For the offence of obtaining money by false pretences, the court ordered Kiura to pay a fine of Ksh 100,000 or serve one year in prison in default.

“Guided by the applicable law, the principles of sentencing, and the Judiciary Sentencing Policy Guidelines, 2023, I hereby sentence the accused person to pay a fine of Ksh 100,000; in default, to serve one year imprisonment,” ordered Hon. Githiaga.

The court also handed her a two-year jail term for impersonating an advocate.

Investigations revealed that Kiura had been operating an office in Siakago town, located at Eva Plaza, where she presented herself to the public as a legal practitioner.

While delivering the judgment, the magistrate also raised concern about individuals posing as lawyers and directed authorities to take action against the illegal practice.

“While appreciating that the Law Society of Kenya now has a committee dedicated to primarily dealing with quacks and masqueraders, there is need for the said office to be closed forthwith,” the court ordered.

The court further directed the Practice, Ethics and Standards Committee of the Law Society of Kenya to close the office and confiscate stamps bearing the name of J.I. Mwai, advocate and commissioner for oaths.