- The Cotu boss wants Theuri to instead report to the public what LSK has done to deal with rogue members.
- He said Mwenda is a brilliant Kenyan who has faced condemnation for practising law because he allegedly does not have Legal qualifications.
Image: PCS
Central Organisation of Trade Unions boss Francis Atwoli has said he will not withdraw his support for Brian Mwenda, the man accused of masquerading as a lawyer.
In a statement on Sunday, Atwoli said Law Society of Kenya President Eric Theuri wanted him to withdraw his statement and issue an apology.
"I'm 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.
The Cotu boss wants Theuri to instead report to the public what LSK has done to deal with rogue members.
"If today LSK were to ask Kenyans who have been swindled by lawyers to assemble in stadiums across the country, I'm sure that all our stadiums, including the ones under construction for Afcon, would be full to capacity," he said.
Atwoli alleged that the union has received countless petitions from many Kenyans who have been swindled by their lawyers who enjoy protection and immunity from the LSK.
"As Francis Atwoli, I'm prepared, willing, and available to provide the LSK with a list of some of their members who continue to swindle clients only if the LSK assures the public that they have the spine to handle such cases," he added.
Atwoli said Mwenda's case cannot be about integrity and other ethical values and virtues that LSK claims.
He said it is an issue of inclusivity and accessibility of professions in Kenya and appreciating apprenticeship by implementing Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
Atwoli on Friday expressed support for Mwenda amid criticism from leaders and Kenyans.
He said the man is a brilliant Kenyan who has faced condemnation for practising law because he allegedly does not have Legal qualifications.
He said the man's case raises critical questions about the accessibility and inclusivity of professions in the country, and if he has represented clients, his knowledge and skills in law should be put to the test.
"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.
On Friday, LSK said Mwenda falsely claimed to be an advocate by impersonating a genuine advocate whose practice status was inactive.
The society said the man then made an application for payment of his 'Practicing Certificate'.
"Upon being allowed access to the account, he took control of the portal and changed his profile picture, the workplace and applied and paid for the practicing certificate," LSK said.
Things went south for Mwenda after the owner of the account he was using wanted to activate his practice certificate but could not access his account on the LSK portal.
He reported the matter to LSK's ICT department who followed up on the matter.
Reports indicate that until the revelation, Mwenda had battled 26 cases before High Court Judges, Magistrates and Court of Appeal Judges and won all of them.
On Saturday, Mwenda defended himself saying it should be inconceivable for anyone to imagine that all his prowess can be feigned.
"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.
The Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga directed the Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome to conduct investigations into the allegations.
Ingonga noted that Mwenda's case has been highly publicised terming it as suspected identity theft.
"In response to the increased cases of this nature, I have directed the Inspector General of the National Police Service to undertake expedited comprehensive investigations in respect of the suspected case of identity theft of the said Brian Mwenda Ntwiga, among others, with the view to possible prosecution, upon criminal culpability being established," the DPP said.