- Sonko said the individuals have demonstrated their brilliance in the corridors of justice but their only shortcoming is that they lack academic papers.
- His request followed the arrest of a female lawyer who was reportedly practising without having proper legal qualifications.
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Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has appealed to the Law Society of Kenya to consider sending persons practising law without requisite academic qualifications back to Law School instead of humiliating them through arrests.
The former county boss said the individuals have demonstrated their brilliance in the corridors of justice but their only shortcoming is that they lack academic papers.
His request in a video message posted on his X handle Monday night followed the arrest of a female lawyer who was reportedly practising without having proper legal qualifications.
"Some of these cases are now becoming rampant and I'm sure there many many more cases of young talented future lawyers but the problem is poverty" Sonko said.
"Maybe some of them have Law degrees but maybe they hail from poor backgrounds their parents cannot afford to take them to Kenya School of Law," he added.
Sonko said LSK President Eric Theuri should consider treating such cases sympathetically and find a way of sending brilliant minds to school to acquire the necessary documents.
"So, I'm appealing to Theuri, we are not picking a war with LSK at times you are doing a good job. Why don't you have a plan and identify all these young talented lawyers instead of them going to court through the back door, we and other stakeholders find ways of how we can help them," he said.
"These are the future learned friends Mr Theuri, so instead of embarrassing them and having police arrest them and put them in cells...let us find a solution to address this problem."
Theuri said on Monday a lady was arrested and detained at the Capitol police station pending investigations and arraignment.
"The said advocate stole the identity of a real advocate and had forged a national ID under the alias and fake practising certificate to aid her illegal enterprise," Theuri claimed.
The case came days after the LSK claimed another male impersonator had stolen the identity of one of their members and was practising law illegally.
Brian Mwenda reportedly masquerading as an advocate of the High Court, argued and won 26 court cases.
Sonko said such cases may be many within the LSK and arresting and detaining culprits will not help either of the parties.
"Let us find a permanent solution, a permanent way to address this problem which has become rampant now. If LSK has no money, there are people with money we can contribute and take them to Kenya School of Law, two-three years and tomorrow they will be admitted as advocates," he said.