Atwoli, LSK In Bitter Row Over Brian Mwenda Saga

COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli on Sunday, October 15 refused to issue an apology and withdraw his support for quack lawyer, Brian Mwenda after Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Eric Theuri slammed him for jumping to his aid despite impersonating an advocate of the High Court.

In a statement, Atwoli accused LSK of protecting rogue members within its society, some of whom have continued to rob Kenyans of millions of their hard-earned money.

He demanded Theuri to convene an emergency meeting of the LSK council and to reveal to members of the public the steps they are taking to deal with the rogue individuals.

LSK president, Eric Theuri. /TV47 DIGITAL

"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.

"Considering many lawyers have made this an issue of ethical values and virtues of the profession, I would like to call upon the LSK President to equally convene an emergency meeting of the LSK Council and report to the general public what they have done or they are doing to handle some rogue members of the LSK who continue to swindle Kenyans millions upon millions," he stated.

Atwoli further claimed that LSK was hoarding a huge number of rogue members and not raising complaints about them as much as it is doing to Mwenda.

"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," he poked.

Atwoli stated that COTU received countless petitions from many Kenyans who have been in the past swindled by their lawyers for their hard-earned money without any recourse.

He decried that Kenyans have nowhere to go in the event they are scammed by their lawyers who enjoy protection and immunity from the LSK.

"For instance, last year, NTV investigated claims by Gladys Muthoni, under an investigative story by Brian Obuya “Advocates of Pain: How Kenyan Lawyers are Swindling their Clients”, to which the LSK is yet to give a public explanation," he went on.

Atwoli then announced that he was prepared, willing and available in his capacity to provide the LSK with a list of some of their members who continue to swindle clients.

However, he promised to do so on condition that the LSK assures the public that they are capable of handling such cases.

"Brian’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)," Atwoli reiterated his call to the government to implement RPL.

Theuri on Saturday, October 14 raised concerns regarding why politicians and Kenyans were supporting Mwenda yet he committed an offence.

"This is the first time this character is receiving support from politicians and institutions such as Cotu. This leaves us with a question, who exactly is this Brian Mwenda? Why is he getting support for criminal activities from institutions and persons who have previously served public office and understand the need to maintain the rule of law?" he posed.

"This is a man who should not be celebrated. This is a man who is a criminal and should be answering to the crimes he has committed."

Brian Mwenda was exposed for masquerading as a lawyer and practising without a license.

Other than reportedly winning all 26 cases he has argued, Mwenda garnered notoriety for his suave appearance, impeccably groomed facial hair, and mastery of sartorial finesse, which earned him quick admiration among the opposite sex.