Kisumu: Authorities have arrested a man in Soy Centre, Uasin Gishu County, for allegedly masquerading as a legal advocate and operating an illegal law firm under the guise of a human rights organisation. The suspect, identified as David Ondolo, was apprehended during a coordinated operation led by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) in collaboration with local law enforcement officers and the LSK North Rift Chapter.
According to Kenya News Agency, the arrest follows reports from members of the public and investigations prompted by concerns raised by local leadership. Stephen Mbugua, a council member of the Law Society of Kenya, confirmed the arrest during a visit to the area. "We received reports of individuals conning members of the public while purporting to be legal professionals," said Mbugua. "Ondolo had been operating under the disguise of a human rights organisation for over seven years yet was illegally providing legal services and preparing legal documents," he added.
Investigations revealed that Ondolo had no formal legal training or qualifications, in violation of the Advocates Act, which regulates the legal profession in Kenya. Critical legal documents were recovered from his office, believed to have been prepared and issued to the public unlawfully.
"This is not an isolated case," said Oscar Oduor, an advocate and head of the Committee for weeding out masqueraders under the North Rift Chapter of the LSK. "Such fraudulent practices are rampant across the country. The Law Society is taking firm action against them as mandated under Section 4 of our charter, which empowers us to protect the public and uphold the integrity of the legal profession."
Oduor further thanked the LSK team for their swift action and support. "We acted promptly on the intelligence we received. Ondolo had been deceiving the public for years, running what appeared to be a legitimate rights-based organisation while offering unauthorised legal services," he added. He alluded that the suspect will be prosecuted, serving as a warning to others masquerading as legal practitioners.
He emphasised the importance of ensuring that members of the public are represented by qualified professionals and receive proper legal services when they spend their money. The suspect is currently in custody at Soy Police Station, awaiting processing and arraignment in court.
The arrest is part of a nationwide crackdown on fake legal practitioners. The Law Society of Kenya has intensified its operations in various counties to root out imposters and safeguard the credibility of Kenya's legal system. Authorities have launched further investigations to determine the full extent of Ondolo's activities and identify any possible accomplices.
The LSK urges the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious legal practitioners to their nearest office or local chapter.