Kenya: High Court Halts LSK Boycott Pending Case Hearing

What the report says

A High Court judge in Nairobi has issued interim orders stopping the Law Society of Kenya from taking steps that would disrupt court proceedings involving judges and judicial officers, at least until a preliminary objection on the court’s jurisdiction is heard and decided. The ruling, delivered by Justice David Mburu, was reported by Capital FM and distributed by AllAfrica on 3 August 2026.

The case stems from a dispute over a targeted boycott announced by the Law Society of Kenya in July. According to the report, the boycott was directed at Chief Justice Martha Koome, Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu and other judicial officers, following concerns raised by lawyers about the administration of justice. Advocate Adrima Kamotho filed the case challenging the LSK’s actions, arguing that the boycott undermines judicial independence and could delay cases for many litigants.

The Judicial Service Commission told the court that judges and magistrates had been working under fear, while lawyers representing judges criticized the boycott directive. LSK opposed efforts to suspend the boycott before the main petition is heard and had argued that court operations were largely continuing. The court previously held off on stopping the boycott while discussions were underway between the JSC and LSK leadership.

The dispute is being closely watched because it raises broader questions about protests by lawyers, the functioning of the courts and the balance between professional dissent and uninterrupted access to justice in Kenya.