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Why Brian Mwenda can never be a lawyer in Kenya – Otiende Amollo

Otiende said that it is because of Mwenda's prior impersonation.

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by CYNDY ALUOCH

News14 October 2023 - 09:27
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In Summary


  • •Mwenda was on Thursday discovered to have been falsely presenting himself as an Advocate of the High Court.
  • •The MP said as much as other leaders sympathise with Mwenda, he might never get to practice the career in Kenya unless in another country.
Lawyer Brian Mwenda who is facing allegations of being an imposter in the Judiciary

Rarieda Member of Parliament Otiende Amollo has said Brian Mwenda who is accused of masquerading as an Advocate can never be admitted as an advocate of the High Court of Kenya.

Speaking on Saturday through a tweet on X, Otiende said that it is because of Mwenda's alleged impersonation.

The MP said as much as other leaders sympathise with Mwenda, he might never get to practice the career in Kenya unless in another country.

"My Sympathies go to Brian Mwenda. He may get all the social media support and encouragement from Bro Francis Atwoli and Mike Sonko. Sadly, he can never be admitted as an advocate of the High Court Of Kenya, on account of prior impersonation. Labda Ajaribu Uganda ama Tanzania," Otiende said.

Admission to the bar is the granting of permission by a particular court system to a lawyer to practice law in the jurisdiction

Mwenda was on Thursday accused of falsely presenting himself as an Advocate of the High Court.

This is after the Law Society of Kenya discovered that he was neither an advocate nor a member of their branch.

Reports indicated that he had battled 26 cases before High Court Judges, Magistrates, and Court of Appeal Judges before his arrest, and he won all of them.

While responding to the allegation facing him, Mwenda said:

"In the fullness of time, I will be able to clear this misunderstanding as I view it to be. I will also be able to prove my innocence," he said. 

He added that he will provide the actual context of what is happening with time. 

According to Mwenda, it should be inconceivable for anyone to imagine that all his prowess can be feigned. 

"However, I do not want to say much. I want to thank my presently good team and the additional good team that Sonko will be bringing in, the likes of Senior Kawino," he said. 

COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli on Friday came to Mwenda's defence over the matter. 

He said the man's case raises critical questions about the accessibility and inclusivity of professions in the country.

Atwoli said that Mwenda should not be hastily condemned for his actions after being exposed.

"COTU (K) firmly believes in the principle of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), which acknowledges and values the knowledge, skills, and competencies individuals have acquired through non-traditional learning pathways," Atwoli said.

Atwoli also expressed his readiness to support his aspirations as he awaits his court arraignment.

Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko on the other hand said he will mobilise a team of lawyers to defend Mwenda in his case.

Sonko took to his social media to declare that he would support the accused by sponsoring his legal education.

He also said he will bail out Brian Mwenda should there be any case of his arrest.

"All criminal lawyers; senior Lawyers Assa Nyakundi, Nyamu, George Kithi, Edward Cheruiyot and any other lawyer who is willing to chip in this case just come forward for us to help this young man," Sonko said. 

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