LSK Announces Nationwide Court Boycott Over Judicial Concerns
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has declared a nationwide boycott of court proceedings scheduled for Wednesday, July 22, 2026, citing concerns over judicial accountability, corruption, and alleged misconduct within the justice system.
During an LSK meeting in Machakos, LSK President and Senior Counsel Charles Kanjama emphasized the necessity of this action to advocate for urgent reforms aimed at strengthening accountability and improving the administration of justice.
"We deem it necessary to undertake a boycott to emphasize the seriousness of concerns raised by members and to call for meaningful institutional interventions," Kanjama stated.
The boycott will be implemented in two phases:
- One-Day Nationwide Boycott: On July 22, advocates will refrain from participating in court hearings and applications.
- Indefinite Targeted Boycott: This will focus on specific courts presided over by judges and judicial officers who have obtained court orders preventing the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) or the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) from processing corruption allegations against them.
Kanjama highlighted that the success of these measures depends on the cooperation of advocates across the country. He noted that despite several engagements with the Chief Justice to address members' concerns, the desired progress has not been achieved.
The issues cited by the society include:
- Corruption
- Judicial misconduct
- Abuse of office
- Case backlogs
- Frequent adjournments
- Delays in the delivery of rulings and judgments
"Where sustainable engagement does not yield adequate progress, the Council has a statutory duty to take lawful action," Kanjama asserted.
He emphasized that while the LSK remains committed to protecting judicial independence, such independence must be accompanied by accountability, integrity, transparency, and responsiveness to concerns raised by court users.
As part of its resolutions, the society plans to establish a structured and confidential mechanism through which advocates can report concerns relating to judicial performance, misconduct, registry challenges, and delays in court processes.
Kanjama called on LSK branches nationwide to support these resolutions by creating awareness among members, collecting feedback, and coordinating local engagements.
The society affirmed its commitment to pursuing dialogue with the Judiciary while proceeding with the planned boycott.
By Anne Kangero