The saga of Brian Mwenda, the man accused of practising law without qualifications, continues to divide Kenyans’ opinions.
While a section of Kenyans – including high profile individuals – has shown support for Mwenda, another section – led by legal officials – is demonising him and demanding for his arrest.
But one man who has vowed to stand with Mwenda is one Francis Atwoli, the Secretary General of the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU).
Atwoli vs Ahmednasir…again!
On Sunday, October 15, Atwoli clashed with Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi, who had criticised Atwoli and Nairobi politician Mike Sonko for supporting “fraud”.
“Is it mere coincidence that the most vociferous and squeaky supporters of Mr. Brian Mwenda are [Mike] Sonko and Dr Francis Atwoli, two Kenyans who left school at class 7?” Ahmednassir had posed.
In a rejoinder, Atwoli expressed concern over lawyers he says have become more of “swindlers’ than advocates.
LSK demands Atwoli’s apology
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) came out to demand that Atwoli withdraws his support for Mwenda and issue and apology.
The outspoken trade unionist, however, maintains that he will not be withdrawing support for Mwenda, and neither will he be issuing any apology.
“I am not prepared, willing and available to issue any apology or withdraw my support for Brian Mwenda and calls for Recognition of Prior Learning in the field of Law,” Atwoli said.
Instead, Atwoli wants LSK President Eric Theuri to convene an emergency meeting to discuss how they will be handling “rogue lawyers who continue to swindle Kenyans millions upon millions.”
“If today LSK were to ask Kenyans who have been swindled by lawyers to assemble in stadiums across the country, I am sure that ALL our stadiums, including the ones under construction for AFCON, would be full to capacity,” Atwoli jested.
Countless petitions from swindled Kenyans
He further said that as COTU, they have received countless petitions from Kenyans who have being swindled by their lawyers their hard-earned money without value for service.
“Kenyans have nowhere to go to in the event they are swindled by their lawyers who enjoy protection and immunity from the LSK.”
Atwoli says that he is prepared to provide LSK with names of lawyers who continue to swindle Kenyans.
“Brian [Mwenda’s] case cannot be about integrity and other ethical values and virtues that LSK claims to hold dear considering a majority of their members cannot stand the test.
“This is an issue of inclusivity and accessibility of professions in Kenya and appreciating apprenticeship by implementing Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).”
