The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media
platforms spanning newspaper print
operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The
Standard Group is recognized as a
leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national
and international interest.
MOMBASA: Coast lawyers have reached out to their colleagues from other parts of the country in their quest to kick out Chief Justice Willy Mutunga.
Tuesday, Mombasa Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Chairman Eric Nyongesa and several lawyers announced they would seek the support of other lawyers countrywide at the LSK conference which kicks off in Kwale today.
And in an interesting turn of events, they have received the support of some lawyers opposed to the current national leadership of the LSK. Last week, the national office disowned the signature collection by the Mombasa branch to oust the CJ over allegations of marginalising the region.
“I am not defending the CJ but I don’t think the Judicial Service Commission has marginalised any part of the country. We know there are evil people who do not want the Judiciary to function. What LSK Mombasa is doing is not the right procedure or proper way to remove the CJ,” said LSK Chairman Eric Mutua on the sidelines of a judges’ conference in Mombasa.
But Mr Mutua’s statement did not augur well with the LSK’s Mombasa branch who saw it as a betrayal in their hour of need.
Tuesday, Mr Nyongesa accused the national office of abandoning them and said they should not be underestimated. The Standard has established that Coast lawyers have gained the support of restless lawyers under the grouping of Okoa LSK, which is opposed to Mutua.
The Standard has also established that 75 lawyers from Nairobi have signed the anti-Mutunga petition, which Nyongesa has spearheaded for three months.
GENUINE COMPLAINTS
According to Nyongesa, what Mutua said was in bad taste, adding that lawyers are planning to meet him during the annual conference to get the position of the national office over the matter.
“As far as we are concerned, LSK headquarters were aware of what we are doing in Mombasa and if LSK is not with us, then it is very unfortunate that they have abandoned us at the hour of need,” said Nyongesa.
He also said they have written to LSK Chief Executive Apollo Mboya demanding to know whether Mutua spoke as an individual or as an official of the national office.
Given the interest from other lawyers beyond the region, the Mombasa LSK branch announced that the petition, which was to be handed to the National Assembly today, will now be handed over after the conference.
Another lawyer, Benjamin Njoroge, said young lawyers from outside Coast had joined the crusade to remove the CJ from office.
He accused Mutua of expressing support for Mr Mutunga without considering the problems members were undergoing.
FRUSTRATIONS LEGITIMATE
Others members who are at the forefront in campaigning for the removal of Mutunga include lawyer Joseph Tarus who said: “What is happening at the Mombasa Law Courts is not acceptable. The CJ is not working to the expectation of the lawyers and should leave.”
Nairobi lawyer Edwin Sifuna, who is in the Okoa LSK faction, insisted that the frustrations LSK members in Mombasa have raised are legitimate, wondering why Mutua had not gone to Mombasa to address them.
join