On Friday, members of the legal fraternity in Nairobi took to the streets after the unfortunate and violent killing of Advocate Kyalo Mbobu by unknown perpetrators.
Wearing black suits and purple ribbons, the lawyers belonging to the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) demonstrated in unity, demanding both the arrest of the perpetrators and more security for the legal practitioners.
The peaceful procession that was at Milimani Law Courts, later after the march at Kaunda Street, where lawyers stood by Mbobu’s office and demanded justice, and finally at the Supreme Court.
The march ended at the office of Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja after the LSK officials handed over a petition calling for the murder to be deeply and urgently investigated.
LSK President, Faith Odhiambo, compared Mbobu’s killing to that of lawyer Willy Kimani in 2016, predicting that if such occurrences continue, not only will the rule of law be undermined but also fear will be instilled in the legal fraternity.
Senior Counsel Philip Murgor and lawyer Pravin Bowry also agreed, saying that while lawyers have the hardest job, they nonetheless must be protected by the state as they are the ones who uphold justice.
Protests in solidarity with the lawyers were also held outside of Nairobi. Local lawyers in Kilifi County urged for immediate investigations while activists in Mombasa directed the Kenya Kwanza government to consider insecurity a national disaster.
The murder of Advocate Mbobu has inflamed public rage across the country, and the legal fraternity is very firm on the point that the culprits who commit acts of violence on lawyers should be arrested to help secure the justice system.
