High Court restrains police from accessing LSK offices
Police have been barred from interfering with Law Society of Kenya (LSK) affairs or accessing its Gitanga Road offices by the High Court.
This comes a week after LSK President Nelson Havi asked the court to deny Mercy Wambua, Florence Muturi, Mary Kitonga and Geoffrey Karan access to LSK offices.
Justice Antony Mrima in his ruling said sprinter council members, Havi and his deputy Carolyne Kamende are allowed to have unfettered access to the office.
“The second, third and fourth respondents are hereby restrained from entering or interfering with affairs of LSK. However, the respondents shall have unhindered access when circumstances require restoration of order,” he ruled.
However, judge Mrima said Havi cannot represent the society.
He added that the case couldn’t be terminated since it was filed out of public interest.
He asked Wambugu/Chege Advocates to replace Havi and applied to withdraw the petitioner.
In a suit filed under a certificate of urgency, Havi listed the Attorney General, the Inspector General of Police, Francis Muthui and Benson Wambua as respondents. He also listed CASA Security Limited, Mercy, Muturi, Kitonga and Karani as interested parties.
He accused both the State Law Office and the police of abusing state officers and public resources for improper motives by interfering in the internal affairs of the LSK, discrediting and undermining its leadership.
Havi wanted the court to restrain Mercy, Muturi, Kitonga and Karani from entering LSK offices.
According to suit documents, Mercy was an employee and her services were terminated on October 19, 2020, Kitonga’s and Muturi’s were terminated on July 9, 2021, while Karani’s were terminated on August 2.
On August 10 this year, 50 armed officers and 20 unidentified men in civilian clothes under the command of Muthui and Benson allegedly cut the chains and padlocks of LSK office gate and installed security guards.
They allegedly detained five Simba Protection (K) Limited security guards, who had been guarding the premises, the whole day without any charges.
It is reported that they assaulted and injured two council members, namely Esther Ang’awa and Clarise Mmbone.
