Chief Justice Willy Mutunga asks LSK to rein in 'drunk' lawyers

Chief Justice Willy Mutunga has asked the Law Society of Kenya to rein in young lawyers whom he described as “drunk and noisy”.

The Chief Justice warned that the conduct of the lawyers was tainting the image of the profession.

He noted that he had recently been invited for dinner by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) but was unable to deliver his address because of the unruly conduct of the drunken young lawyers.

“When I rose to speak, I had a difficult time addressing the gathering because the youthful group of lawyers who had already got drunk had become unruly and could not listen to me,” said Justice Mutunga.

Dr Mutunga was also alluding to the recent scuffle at the LSK annual general meeting, which ended in disarray after some members almost went physical. 

The CJ, who is a former chairman of the LSK, asked lawyers to protect the reputation of the professional body, which he described “as the most important civil society in the country.”

Kakamega chapter LSK chairman Calistous Shifwokha said the behaviour of the young lawyers was unacceptable.

He said the society was concerned about the complaints raised and would look into the matter.

“We need to come up with a strong mentorship programme and properly guide the young lawyers to be able to redeem their tainted image in the profession,” said Mr Shifwokha.

The CJ, who was in Kakamega for the launch of the Justice@Last initiative on Thursday, said a new modern High Court would be constructed in Kakamega at a cost of Sh280 million.

The construction of the new court is expected to start in May and would be completes in 18 months.

DEFILEMENT CASES
Justice Mutunga sounded a warning about the rise in cases of defilement reported in Vihiga and Kakamega counties.

He said it was wrong for elders to shield from prosecution youths who defiled young girls.

The CJ called the cases of defilement reported in the region as a looming crisis that needed to be addressed by leaders and affected communities.

While touring the Vihiga Law Courts, Dr Mutunga called on elders, parents and teachers to join in the fight to end defilement as the issue needed more attention.

Dr Mutunga, who had earlier met Governor Moses Akaranga in his Mbale office, said the county chief had offered to set up a task force to address the matter.

“It is worrying that some of the elders are working with us as members of the Court Users Committees (CUCs) but have been protecting suspected defilers targeting young children in rural homes,” said Justice Mutunga.

Mr Akaranga has previously pointed out several defilement cases in Hamisi and Emuhaya sub-counties, where children reportedly fall prey to defilement by adults.

The most recent cases were reported last week, when an eight-year-old child from Hamisi and a Standard Six girl from Sabatia were allegedly defiled.

MODERN COURTS

Meanwhile, two modern courts will be constructed in Vihiga County at a cost of Sh142 million.

The construction of a High Court worth Sh72 million is under way in Hamisi while the Vihiga magistrates’ court is set for renovation at a cost of Sh70 million beginning May.

Dr Mutunga, whose term of service expires in June 2017, asked the public to play a supervisory role in the ongoing construction to stem corruption that comes with such major government projects.

He promised to return to the county after a month to assess the progress of the projects, which are being funded by the World Bank.

“Residents should supervise the projects to stem corruption that comes with such projects. You know such projects come with corruption,” said Dr Mutunga.

Dr Mutunga further agreed to Mr Akaranga’s request to station a magistrate in the county to preside over county courts to administer county by-laws.