EA law society condemns murder of Kenyan lawyer

Arusha. The East African Law Society (EALS) has expressed its shock at the killing of a Kenyan lawyer, whose decomposed body was recovered on the outskirts of Nairobi on Friday.

“We condemn, in the strongest terms possible, the killing and join the Law Society of Kenya and the wider public in calling for an expeditious and thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death,” EALS said in a statement obtained by The Citizen yesterday.

Mr Willie Kimani, a member of both LSK and the regional law body, was reportedly abducted after a court session in Nairobi a fortnight ago by armed people. His body and those of his client, Mr Josephat Mwenda, and a taxi driver, Mr Joseph Muiruri, were recovered on the banks of a river on Friday.

EALS said it was “gravely concerned” about the deaths, hinting that the police could have a role because the trio were last seen detained in Machakos, east of Nairobi, prior to their disappearance. “The news that the recovered bodies showed signs of severe beating and strangulation, thus indicating foul play, is further cause for concern for the EALS and the legal profession in general,” said the statement signed by EALS president Nassor Khamis Mohamed.

LSK and the legal fraternity in Kenya have described the horror and tragic demise as “a dark day for the rule of law in Kenya”, and noted that the failure by those charged with the security of the country would not be tolerated.

Yesterday’s edition of the Sunday Nation reported that three administrative police officers had been detained in connection with the killings and could face murder charges.

Early investigations indicate that the three were arrested outside Mavoko Law Court on June 23 and held at Syokimau Administrative Police Post after attending a case in which Mr Josephat Mwenda had accused officers from the police post of shooting him unprovoked. EALS said the Kenyan government was bound by the Treaty for the Establishment of the Community on good governance, the rule of law as well as the recognition, promotion and protection of human and people’s rights.

“Where the security of lawyers is threatened as a result of discharging their functions, they shall be adequately safeguarded by the authorities.”

EALS, which has its headquarters in Arusha, adds voice to the chorus of the agitated Kenyans and human rights activists who are outraged by the killings and who hold police officers accountable for the violations of human rights. The have called for an end of impunity on the part of the police.