Court session ongoing in Milimani Law Court despite lawyers' boycott called by LSK / HANDOUT
Court proceedings continued in various parts of the country on Wednesday despite a nationwide boycott by lawyers called by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK).
The Judiciary assured the public that court operations remained uninterrupted, saying judicial officers and staff across all court stations continued to discharge their constitutional mandate.
Judiciary said it remains committed to upholding the rule of law, safeguarding access to justice and ensuring the efficient and impartial administration of justice for all court users.
Despite the boycott, the Judiciary shared a series of photographs from court stations across the country showing judges, magistrates, advocates and litigants attending proceedings.
"We wish to inform the public that court processes and proceedings continue uninterrupted across all court stations. Judicial officers and staff remain on duty and continue to discharge their constitutional mandate, ensuring that matters scheduled for hearing and other court services proceed as planned," the Judiciary said in a statement.
The Court of Appeal also reported normal operations, saying nine benches sat across the country and heard a total of 54 appeals and applications.
According to the Judiciary, the benches sat in Eldoret, Kisii, Busia, Mombasa, Nakuru, Nyeri, Meru and Nairobi, where two benches were in session.
Residents show up at Kakamega law courts /JUDICIARY X
The update came as the LSK implemented its planned one-day nationwide boycott over alleged persistent administrative failures and a lack of accountability within the Judiciary.
Under the boycott, advocates stayed away from court hearings and applications but continued handling urgent matters. Lawyers were allowed to file court documents, while mentions and applications involving interim orders proceeded only to obtain fresh hearing dates or extensions of existing orders.
The LSK had maintained that the industrial action was intended to push for reforms within the Judiciary while minimising disruption to urgent legal services. However, Wednesday's update from the Judiciary indicated that hearings and other court services largely continued as scheduled.
Speaking outside the Supreme Court on Wednesday, LSK president Charles Kanjama said the boycott had received significant support from advocates across the country, with many lawyers withdrawing their matters from court in line with the Society's directive.
"Many lawyers have heeded the call of the Law Society of Kenya to take out their cases before the courts, and we are gratified that several judges and judicial officers have respected what LSK is doing," Kanjama said.
However, he expressed concern that some judges and magistrates had ignored the notice issued by the Society, forcing advocates to proceed with cases despite the boycott.
"We are still receiving information from our members who are being forced to proceed with matters and some of whose matters have been taken out with prejudice. They have been either dismissed or asked to pay court adjournment fees," he said.
Kanjama maintained that the boycott is protected under Articles 37 and 41 of the constitution, which guarantee the rights to assemble, demonstrate and participate in lawful industrial action.
He said LSK was
compiling reports from affected advocates and would consider further action
against judicial officers found to have violated those rights.
