Leaders of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) on 22nd July walked into courtrooms at the Milimani Law Courts, urging judicial officers to suspend proceedings in line with the society’s one-day nationwide boycott of court sessions.
The delegation, led by LSK President Charles Kanjama and Vice President Teresia Wavinya Nicholas, was accompanied by former LSK President Nelson Havi as they visited several courts to encourage compliance with the industrial action called by the advocates’ body.
One of the courtrooms they entered was presided over by Senior Principal Magistrate Theresa Nyangena, where Havi urged the court to adjourn the matters before it, saying the boycott was intended to press for reforms within the Judiciary.
“Your honour, we, the advocates of Kenya, have declared a single-day boycott towards accountability and integrity in the delivery of services of the Judiciary,” Havi submitted.
He maintained that the advocates’ action was aimed at improving the administration of justice rather than disrupting court operations.
“You, honour, may find it convenient and comfortable today to proceed with your matters, but what we are asking for is the need to push for accountability and access to justice in a manner that is effective and efficient,” Havi added.
“It is for that reason that we have come to ask this court to head the call for the boycott.”
Havi further appealed to the magistrate to suspend the day’s proceedings, arguing that advocates across the country had resolved to down their tools in pursuit of greater accountability within the justice system.
Vice President Wavinya also addressed the court, saying other judicial officers had already agreed to adjourn matters after similar requests were made by the LSK leadership.
“Your honour, we have been before your sister, and she was also proceeding with her hearing, and I have to make the same request for the advocates to show solidarity with the other advocates, and the court is no longer proceeding. So, we are asking that this court also act in the same way,” she said.
Responding to the request, Magistrate Nyangena told the court that she had received administrative directions from Chief Justice Martha Koome requiring courts to continue hearing matters as scheduled despite the boycott.
She noted that although she was aware of the advocates’ protest, she remained bound by those directions.
However, after consulting the parties appearing before her, the magistrate allowed the application for an adjournment and postponed the matters, bringing the proceedings to a close in line with the parties’ consent.
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