Faculty sends message of support to Kenyan lawyers

 

The Faculty has sent a message of support to lawyers in Kenya who have taken part in nationwide protests in defence of the rule of law.

The protests were mounted following the murders of a human rights lawyer, Willie Kimani,  and his client, Josephat Mwenda, and a driver, Joseph Muiruri. Mr Kimani was abducted following an appearance in court as part of a team defending Mr Mwenda, a 24-year-old father of one, against charges initiated by the police. The deaths are said to have the hallmarks of extra-judicial killings by the police. Three police officers have been held in connection with the murders.

The dead driver, Mr Muiruri, had become known to two members of Faculty, Neil Mackenzie and Eric Robertson, when they visited the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, separately last year to take part in the training of independent prosecutors.

Gordon Jackson, QC, Dean of Faculty, said: “We have contacted the Law Society of Kenya to let them know that we are thinking of them and supporting them in their struggle to uphold the rule of law, a cornerstone of a democratic society. News of the three killings was shocking. As an independent Bar committed to the highest ethical and professional standards and to the protection of all citizens under the rule of law, we strongly support calls for the effective protection of Kenyans by the courts, legal professionals and public authorities. Let the deaths of these three men be a turning point for the rule of law in Kenya.”