Kenya: LSK Accuses Judges of Penalising Lawyers During Court Boycott, Vows Targeted Action

What the report says

AllAfrica, republishing a Capital FM report from Nairobi, says the Law Society of Kenya has accused some judges and judicial officers of penalising lawyers who took part in a nationwide court boycott. LSK President Charles Kanjama told a media briefing on Wednesday, 22 July 2026, that the society had received reports from advocates alleging that courts proceeded with matters despite notice of the boycott, leading to case dismissals, matters being struck out and adjournment fees being imposed.

According to the report, Kanjama said the LSK was compiling complaints from members and warned that it could take further action against judicial officers it believes interfered with lawyers’ rights to press for accountability. He urged advocates to continue observing the boycott on Wednesday and to document incidents at court stations countrywide.

The LSK also said it would intensify an indefinite targeted boycott of specific judges and magistrates previously named by the society. Kanjama said lawyers should not appear before the affected judicial officers and that the LSK was preparing formal notices asking that matters before them be removed from their cause lists. He also criticised what he described as a delay in publishing individual performance data for judges and judicial officers, saying the Judiciary had earlier committed to that accountability measure.

Capital FM reported that the dispute reflects a widening standoff between the legal profession and the Judiciary over judicial accountability, case backlogs, registry problems and delays in rulings. The report said the Judiciary has maintained courts remain open and matters should proceed, while arguing that complaints about judicial conduct should be handled through constitutional and institutional channels. The Kenya Magistrates and Judges Association has also urged dialogue, warning that boycotts risk harming litigants most.