If you thought we only had fake diapers, fake sugar and fake doctors in Kenya, drum rolls please as I introduce to you the latest in the land of fakes – fake lawyers!
Law is a difficult course on it’s own, it’s unfathomable how one can hack being a fake lawyer. It’s quite genius if you ask me.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) is now seeking to establish an inspectorate to lock out fake lawyers. According to the LSK Chief Executive Officer, Mercy Wambua, the society has presented proposals to the National Assembly, which, if passed, will allow for creation of the body.
Ms Wambua also said that the LSK has also launched a countrywide crackdown on fake lawyers.
“Members of public are advised to make use of the advocates search engine on the LSK website at https://t.co/sFr90WB1AU which provides details on qualified advocates. Quacks are put on notice that their days are numbered.”Mercy WAMBUA, CEO LSK. pic.twitter.com/A9RJi52TXc
— Law Society of Kenya (@lawsocietykenya) November 6, 2018
“Members of public are advised to make use of the advocates search engine on the LSK website at http://www.lsk.or.ke/ which provides details on qualified advocates. Quacks are put on notice that their days are numbered,” said Ms Wambua.
The quacks posing to be licensed lawyers have their days numbered as the Law Society of Kenya plans to introduce regulations that will stop the imposters.
“The LSK will not allow imposters to tarnish the good name of our profession. We are currently working with the Land ministry, the private sector, the police and the Judiciary to bring the quacks to book,” added Ms Wambua.
According to the CEO, all those found masquerading as lawyers will be apprehended and dealt with as per the law for trying to tarnish the legal profession.
Ms Wambua also said that they shared a list of practising, licensed lawyers with their branches countrywide, a move that will make it easier for the authorities to arrest and prosecute the imposters.
“We have security officers to track down and arrest quacks in court precincts and outside law courts,” she said.
The society has made public a website where it publishes information on the status of its members, lists lawyers who are dormant or inactive (not certified to practice), suspended, have been struck off the Roll of Advocates and, therefore, not allowed to practice and those who are active and certified to practice.
The moves comes amid increasing reports that people posing as lawyers are fleecing the public in different parts of the country. LSK has also rolled out programmes to make Kenyans aware of the legal fraternity and its operations to help them avoid quacks and asked the public to ensure the person they are dealing with is indeed a licensed advocate before they pick them to represent them.
Have you had any nasty experience with a quack lawyer? Do share with us.