The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) leadership was on Wednesday put to task to explain why the organisation vigorously defends advocates but appears to neglect judges and magistrates, who are also members of the Society.
Magistrate Dolphina Alego questioned Nairobi LSK Chairperson Eric Kivuva and LSK Vice President Mwaura Kabata on why the Society fails to stand up for judicial officers when they come under attack.
She alleged that some lawyers intimidate magistrates who often cannot defend themselves yet the LSK does not intervene. Alego further noted that certain advocates frequently attack judges and magistrates on social media without facing any consequences, despite the LSK’s mandate to protect all its members.
The concerns arose after the LSK leadership appeared in court to defend an advocate, Gaylene Makena, who is under investigation for alleged land fraud.
In the application before the court, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) sought a search warrant to enable a search of the lawyer’s premises and those of other suspects, including a land official.
The DCI also sought permission to seize land registration documents, instruments, and electronic devices such as mobile phones, laptops, desktop computers, central processing units, printers, scanners, flash drives, compact discs, external drives, printing papers, ink or gel pens, and any land registration documents that may be linked to the commission of various offences.
The DCI is investigating several offences, including,Conspiracy to defraud contrary to section 317 of the Penal Code, Forgery of stamps contrary to section 352 of the Penal Code, Making false documents contrary to section 347(a) as read with section 349 of the Penal Code, Obtaining registration by false pretence contrary to section 320 of the Penal Code, Uttering a forged document contrary to section 353 as read with section 349 of the Penal Code, Abuse of office contrary to section 101 of the Penal Code, Frauds and breaches of trust by persons employed in the public service contrary to section 127 of the Penal Code and Acquisition-related charges.
Other suspects named in the investigation include: Francis Mwangi, Paul Kibisu, Evans Kathuri, Judy Koech, Joseph Kager, Robinson Mbatha, Joel Kakuli, John Mutisya, Beatrice Wanjiku, John Mburu, Antony Ndegwa, Peninah Mwangi, and Dan Akama.
Magistrate Dolphina Alego subsequently closed the file after the investigating officer informed the court that the investigations were complete.
Chewani MCA Sofia Maro has been sworn in at the Tana River County Assembly after emerging as the winner in the November 27, 2025 by-elections.
Mwakilishi Wadi mteule wa Chewani, Sofia Maro (Kiya), ameapishwa katika Bunge la Kaunti ya Tana River baada ya kushinda uchaguzi mdogo uliofanyika tarehe 27 Novemba 2025.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) leadership was put to task to explain why the organisation vigorously defends advocates but appears to neglect judges and magistrates, who are also members of the Society.
Magistrate Dolphina Alego questioned both the Nairobi LSK chairperson and the National LSK chairperson on why the Law Society fails to stand up for judges and magistrates when they come under attack.
She alleged that some lawyers intimidate magistrates, who often cannot defend themselves, and yet the LSK does not intervene. Alego further noted that certain advocates frequently attack judges and magistrates on social media without facing any consequences, despite the LSK’s mandate to protect all its members.
The concerns arose in court after the LSK appeared to defend an advocate currently under investigation for alleged land fraud.
