news 22 July 2026 The Observer (Uganda)
Kenyan Lawyers Nationwide Boycott Courts Over Corruption Allegations
Lawyers across Kenya have initiated a nationwide court boycott, protesting widespread allegations of corruption and a lack of accountability within the Judiciary. The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) is spearheading the action, demanding urgent reforms and stronger oversight for judges and judicial officers. Source: https://observer.ug/news/kenyan-lawyers-boycott-court-over-judiciary-corruption-claims
Advocates in Kenya have staged a significant nationwide court boycott to voice their deep concerns over corruption and insufficient accountability within the country’s Judiciary. This organized protest, led by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), saw lawyers deliberately abstaining from court proceedings across the nation.
The primary demand is for robust accountability mechanisms to be put in place for judges and all judicial personnel. The LSK emphasizes that judicial independence should not translate into immunity from scrutiny or the law.
LSK President Charles Kanjama stated that the boycott is being observed uniformly and urged legal practitioners to remain united until their grievances are adequately addressed. He announced that a pivotal meeting between the LSK Council, the Senior Counsel Bar, and the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) is scheduled for July 31 to deliberate on reforms aimed at bolstering judicial integrity.
Prominent legal figures, including Senior Counsel Philip Murgor and former LSK Presidents Faith Odhiambo and Nelson Havi, have lent their support to the boycott. They argue that those entrusted with dispensing justice must themselves be held to the highest standards of accountability. Odhiambo specifically questioned attempts to shield judges from disciplinary actions by the JSC, asserting that judicial officers are not above the law.
The protests come in the wake of specific corruption allegations, including the recent arrest of a magistrate and a probation officer by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) for allegedly soliciting a bribe. In response, Chief Justice Martha Koome suspended the implicated magistrate and initiated disciplinary proceedings, reaffirming the Judiciary’s commitment to a zero-tolerance policy on corruption.
Despite the boycott, the Kenyan Judiciary has stated that court operations continue, although some cases have been adjourned due to the absence of legal representation. The LSK has warned of further escalation of industrial action if the upcoming meeting with the JSC does not yield tangible commitments for judicial reform.
This situation was reported by The Observer (Uganda).