LSK President Issues New Directive On Nationwide Judge Boycott
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President, Charles Kanjama, has underlined that the current statewide attorneys’ court boycott does not constitute a complete withdrawal from all court proceedings.
Kanjama noted that lawyers may still be present in court under specific conditions.
In an interview with NTV on Wednesday, July 22, Kanjama stated that advocates may still be present in court in extraordinary circumstances where urgent legal difficulties necessitate their assistance.
According to the President, interim orders and criminal proceedings involving arrested persons must be filed in court within 24 hours, necessitating the presence of lawyers in court to represent clients.
“In criminal matters under Article 49 of the Constitution, anyone who’s arrested has to be presented in court within 24 hours,” Kanjama explained.
Let the accountability processes breathe.#TimeIsRIPE https://t.co/SrZJdsauX7— Charles Kanjama SC (@ckanjama) July 21, 2026
“So there are people who’ve been presented in court maybe for plea-taking. The lawyers will determine whether they will appear for the plea-taking or they will leave them to engage the court on their own.”
Adding, “So those are, you could say, the special exceptional cases where lawyers will attend court.”
In cases where a court has issued interim orders maintaining the current situation, Kanjama said lawyers may attend court to seek an extension of those orders rather than proceed with the substantive hearing.
Today, the Law Society of Kenya Council, led by President Charles Kanjama, SC, addressed the nation at a press briefing held at the Supreme Court of Kenya, reaffirming the Society’s position on the nationwide boycott of court proceedings in pursuit of judicial accountability and… pic.twitter.com/b1sEKiQUXz— Law Society of Kenya (@LawSocietyofKe) July 22, 2026
The exceptions, Kanajama said, are intended to balance the lawyers’ constitutional right to protest and withdraw services with their responsibility to ensure access to justice.
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“We have to balance between the needs of the people we serve and also what we are trying to achieve,” he added.
Kanjama said lawyers who choose not to attend court at all during the boycott have the backing of the LSK, while those handling exceptional matters are doing so at their own discretion.
The explanation comes amid public fears that lawyers may not be available to represent them following a nationwide court boycott.
The one-day boycott has seen advocates stay away from regular court proceedings across the country as they push for reforms LSK describes as strengthening judicial accountability and independence.
In a notice on Friday, July 17, LSK announced a nationwide boycott of court proceedings on Wednesday, July 22, and an indefinite boycott of some courts.
The decision came as complaints about judge malpractice continue to face headwinds, as well as persistent challenges affecting the administration of justice.
LSK President Issues New Directive On Nationwide Judge Boycott
