List of lawyers banned from practicing
The Office of the Attorney General and Department of Justice in a Gazette Notice published on 20th January 2017 has officially published a report on the concluded complaints compiled by the Advocates Complaints Commission against advocates in the country.
Gazette Notice number 493 lists 32 advocates facing suspension as well as those that have been struck off the Roll of Advocates.
The Advocates Complaints Commission is the body mandated to handle complaints on legal issues in the country.
The decision to make public the names of dishonorable learned friends is as a response to public outcry on the increasing number of rogue advocates who have continued to fleece members of the public while putting the legal profession in disrepute.
Disciplinary action taken against an advocate emanates from evidence of gross professional misconduct as reported by complainants to, received and reviewed by the Advocates Complaints Commission.
The ACC which derives its mandate from Article 53 of the Advocates Act is charged with the responsibility of Investigating Complaints Against Advocates, providing guidance leading to reconciliation of the disputing parties, making referral of complaints to the Disciplinary Committee, and finally prosecuting of disciplinary actions before the Disciplinary Committee.
The Commission further ensures that advocates conduct themselves in a professionally acceptable manner as stipulated by the code of conduct.
Gross Professional misconduct, constitute behavior regarded as disgraceful or dishonorable conduct incompatible with the status of an advocate as stipulated in the code of conduct in the Advocates Act.
All advocates must conduct themselves in a manner that preserves and strengthens the dignity, honour and ethics of the legal profession.
Various acts leading to professional misconduct include, Breach of client confidentiality, Misappropriation of client funds as well undercutting or charging less than what is prescribed by law in The Advocates Remuneration Act.
Other instances leading to disciplinary action are Bankruptcy and Grave offenses committed where an advocate is convicted of murder or manslaughter.
The effect of this disciplinary action against the advocates means that those listed are not allowed to practice law.
They cannot represent clients nor can they appear in a court of law anywhere in the Republic of Kenya without the express authority of the Registrar of the High Court.
The only reprieve for disgraced advocates is that they can be sought for legal advice by employers but only after disclosing that they have been struck off the Roll of Advocates.
According to the Advocates Act, it is an offense to fail to disclose that one has been struck off the Roll of Advocates and this attracts a fine not exceeding Kshs. 50,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or both.
LIST OF LAWYERS STRUCK OFF ROLL
NO. | Name of Advocate | Location (Town) | Disciplinary Sanction | Effective Date | DCC No. |
1. | Mary Munyu Mwangi | Nairobi | Suspension | 16/11/2009 | 101/2009 |
2. | Henry M. Wasilwa | Kisumu | Suspension | 21/9/2015 | 100/2006 |
3. | Ng’ang’a Kiarie | Nakuru | Suspension | 17/8/2009 | 178/2008 |
4. | Johnson K. Gachagua | Nairobi | Suspension | 5/9/2011 | 50/2010 |
5. | Macharia Njore | Thika | Suspension | 18/10/2004 | 27/2002 |
6. | E. A. Ngaira | Nairobi | Suspension | 12/10/2006 | 13/2004 |
7. | Wanjiku Mukuru | Nairobi | Suspension | 2/6/2014 | 52/2008 |
8. | Mugambi Mutava | Nairobi | Suspension | 23/9/2009 | 12/2006 |
9. | Ongicho Evans Asuga | Nairobi | Suspension | 18/7/2016 | 50/2013 |
10. | Opondo Rosemary Atieno | Nairobi | Suspension | 8/4/2013 | 25/2012 |
11. | Mulongo Peter Mulongo | Mombasa | Suspension | 2/9/2013 | 74/2012 |
12. | Kute Hezron O. Ongiro | Nairobi | Suspension | 4/11/2013 | 63/2012 |
13. | Jackson Kimeu Kakonzi | Machakos | Struck Off the Roll of Advocates | 11/6/2007 | 160/2006 |
14. | Grace Nyawira Gitonga | Nyeri | Struck Off the Roll of Advocates | 3/5/2007 | 119/2006 |
15. | Ng’ang’a Njau | Nairobi | Struck Off the Roll of Advocates | 2/2/2009 | 73/2008 |
16. | Martha Oiye | Nairobi | Struck Off the Roll of Advocates | 18/4/2005 | 17/2004 |
17. | Njenga Muchiru | Nairobi | Struck Off the Roll of Advocates | 4/9/2006 | 75/2000 |
18. | Joyce Mukuhi Njenga | Nairobi | Struck Off the Roll of Advocates | 7/3/2005 | 8/2002 |
19. | John Ngaramba Njoroge | Limuru | Struck Off the Roll of Advocates | 17/1/2008 | 156/2007 |
20. | Macharia Mukuna | Nairobi | Struck Off the Roll of Advocates | 18/3/2005 | 163/2004 |
21. | Violet Barasa | Nairobi | Struck Off the Roll of Advocates | 10/4/2008 | 44/2007 |
22. | Otieno Opiacha | Nairobi | Struck Off the Roll of Advocates | 4/9/2008 | 39/2008 |
23. | David McOdhoch Ochieng | Nairobi | Struck Off the Roll of Advocates | 2/11/2009 | 12/2009 |
24. | Henry Wanyama | Nairobi | Struck Off the Roll of Advocates | 19/10/2009 | 11/2009 |
25. | Koome Mbogo | Nairobi | Struck Off the Roll of Advocates | 8/5/2008 | 182/2007 |
26. | Stanley Ramogo | Nairobi | Struck Off the Roll of Advocates | 14/1/2008 | 134/2007 |
27. | Apopo Joab | Nairobi | Struck Off the Roll of Advocates | 22/2/2016 | 28/2011 |
28. | Muli Koli | Nairobi | Struck Off the Roll of Advocates | 4/4/2011 | 96/2010 |
29. | Lynette Okiro | Nairobi | Struck Off the Roll of Advocates |