By Daniel Otieno
A petition has been filed by advocate Kepha Ojijo seeking to have Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen struck off the Roll of Advocates in Kenya, citing gross violations of the Constitution and oath of office.
According to documents presented to the Advocates Disciplinary Tribunal, Kindiki and Murkomen are accused of violating human rights, overseeing extrajudicial killings,abductions, and promoting a culture of impunity in their handling of nationwide anti-government protests largely led by the Gen Z movement.
“The respondents continue to identify as advocates while overseeing state-sanctioned brutality,” the motion reads in part. “This misleads the public and demeans the integrity of the legal profession.”
The protests, which erupted over issues ranging from heavy taxation, high cost of living, and corruption, were met with brutal police crackdowns, leading to dozens of injuries and several confirmed deaths.
CS Murkomen has particularly come under fire for publicly endorsing a “shoot-to-kill” directive issued during the height of the unrest, which he claimed was necessary to curb lawlessness. The CS took to the public a defence on the police action, saying, “We shall deal firmly and without apology with lawbreakers,” a statement widely condemned as inflammatory and unconstitutional.
Deputy President Kindiki, who previously served as Interior Cabinet Secretary, is also accused of sanctioning state-sponsored violence and failing to uphold his oath to protect the Constitution. Critics argue that in his current role, he has continued to defend police brutality rather than calling for accountability.
His silence following multiple incidents of alleged forced disappearances and attacks on unarmed protesters has only fueled the push for disciplinary action.
Ojijo, also wants a Special General Meeting convened by the LSK to allow members to vote on the removal of the two officials from the roll of advocates. “We cannot continue to allow senior members of the legal profession to trample on the Constitution with impunity,” Ojijo said in a statement. “If the respondents wish to engage in politics,they should do so without wearing the hat of advocates,” he argues.
Meanwhile, political pressure continues to mount. Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji on Saturday filed a motion in Parliament seeking to impeach CS Murkomen over what he termed as unconstitutional and reckless directives that endangered public lives. “This is not just about the legal profession,it’s about leadership and accountability,” Mukunji said while addressing the media.
