By Wahome Thuku
You can now access the list of all advocates licensed to practice.
Yesterday, a directory of all lawyers admitted to the roll of advocates was for the first time posted on the Law Society of Kenya website.
The directory contains names of all the 7,800 advocates classified as active, inactive and dormant, as well as those who have been suspended or struck off the roll.
It also contains a list of advocates who died and whose status is unknown, probably having migrated.
The directory, uploaded by LSK council secretary Apollo Mboya, provides names, law firms and their physical and postal address.
The inactive lawyers were said to be those who had not renewed their practicing certificates this year.
Those listed as inactive or dormant include some sitting MPs, judges, business people and serving or retired civil servants.
About 500 advocates were listed as having died and 52 struck off the roll. But conspicuously missing in the list was former Vice-President Michael Wamalwa and the CJ himself.
Attorney-General Amos Wako is listed among the inactive advocates despite being the head of prosecutions. Many Kenyans have been asking for details of licensed lawyers to avoid dealing with those who had no legal authority to appear in courts.
Mr Mboya said the directory would help judges and magistrates know the status of lawyers appearing before them.
He was addressing 71 new advocates admitted to the bar by Chief Justice Evan Gicheru.
Solicitor-General Wanjuki Muchemi said Kenyan lawyers could practice anywhere within the five East African countries when the common market protocol is signed next month.
The negotiations took place two weeks ago and will be refined later in the month, he said.
