Ombudsman raises red flag on number of complaints by Kenyans against advocates

NAKURU,Kenya, July 1 – Lawyers have taken a solemn oath to protect and uphold the law of the country and champion for the rights of its citizens.

According to the Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ) however, a small minority are violating this solemn pledge following increased number of complaints by citizens against their advocates.

In recent cases in the North Rift region, Kenyans have accused their lawyers of swindling them of their money.

The complaints recorded by the CAJ have revealed that some lawyers have failed to represent their clients despite receiving payment.

CAJ Officer in charge of North Rift Region Irene Naserian said that though they are restricted to public institutions and their officers, their complaints have been forwarded to the appropriate body in charge in order to deliver justice to aggrieved Kenyans.

“We have received a lot of complaints regarding lawyers who have taken citizens fees and not representing their matters, we have however forwarded the matters to the advocates complaints commission, said Naserian.

During a public engagement on the Access to Information Regulations 2021 in Nakuru town Naserian urged advocates to handle their work with integrity and uphold professionalism and honesty. This even as the office of the Ombudsman recorded major delays and abuse of office by public officers in providing and delivering efficient services in the land registries within the region.

Several residents in Nakuru have lodged complaints at the commission regarding the operations of the county land registries.

“The commission receives complaints from missing land rent records, erroneous results of official searches and delays in valuation of property are among common vices in the registries. ” she said.

The advocates complaints commission is responsible for investigating complaints against advocates, undertaking reconciliation of the parties, referral of complaints to the disciplinary committee and prosecution of disciplinary actions before the disciplinary committee.