Lawyers want Police IG Joseph Boinnet to quit, vow to strike

Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet

Lawyers will go on strike to protest the killing of advocate Willie Kimani. Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Isaac Okero yesterday announced that they will down their tools from Monday in protest of the brutal murder of their colleague.

“We ask our members to down their tools from Monday over the murders,” Okero declared.

He also demanded the resignation of Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet, Administration Police Commandant Samuel Arachi and Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery.

The LSK boss asked members not to attend court proceeding until the three resign.

At the same time, LSK wants Syokimau Administration Police Post closed on account that the three were last held there.

The lawyers’ body described the killings a ‘dark day for the rule of law’.

Okero expressed their shock yesterday terming the discovery of advocate Willie Kimani and his clients’ bodies as a confirmation of their worst fears.

This further prompted a crisis meeting at the LSK offices late in the evening to deliberate the unfolding events.

In a statement, Okero pointed fingers to the country’s security forces.

“Our worst fears have been confirmed. Advocates and citizens are at risk of elimination by death squad police,” he said.

Okero vowed that the society has taken all measures to bring to book whoever is responsible for the killings.

“The LSK will take all measures to ensure those with personal, political and moral responsibility answer for these crimes,” he said.

He added: “We pray for the soul of Brother Willie and for Mr Josephat Mwenda (client).”

Okero said the society is praying for the safety of their members: “...who are in the front line of the defence of our Constitution and the rule of law and for our country.”

The bodies of the three were discovered on Thursday evening by authorities in Ol Donyo Sabuk, Machakos County.

The deceased had been stuffed in sacks and their heads covered in yellow plastic bags, an indication that they suffocated to death before being thrown into the river.

According the authorities, it was evident there was foul play in the killings.

“They were smartly dressed, well shaved men. They must have been suffocated to death,” said the source.

Kimani, his client and a driver Joseph Muiruri had gone missing on June 23 after Mwenda had appeared in court in Mavoko to face charges of possessing marijuana and overloading.

Reports indicate it is the taxi driver who came to pick them from the courts minutes after 1pm but none of them made it to their homes that evening.