UPDATED: Law Society Of Kenya (LSK) CEO Apollo Mboya Suspended

Piece by: Caren Nyota
Lifestyle

LSK members have suspended CEO Apollo Mboya until an audit on the council of funds is done. Members resolve to hire an audit firm to investigate LSK books for the last four years. Motion for a forensic audit of the society passed unanimously and audit of monies received from advocates for  CPD for the last  4 years passed unanimously.

During the AGM, members of LSK elected an interim chair and among the important matters discussed were:

1. T abandon aside the arbitration centre

2. To suspend the CEO Apollo Mboya

3. Audit of the CPD

This is an update to the story:

The LSk has issued the following communiqué

The LSK Council duly constituted an Annual General, which was held today, 21st March, 2015. The meeting of the ABA Annual General Meeting proceeded well despite attempts to disrupt it. The LSK AGM started well, notice was duly read and the agenda Adopted. Some disruptive members declined to rise to pay tribute to departed members but nevertheless the meeting continued to the confirmation of minutes of the previous AGM  and Matters Arising.

During the Agenda Item No. 6 which the Report of the Council  was being read by Jennifer Shammalla, Council Member, a few rowdy members led by Jacqueline Manani attacked and assaulted her. She was joined in the assault by other members namely; Alex Gatundu, Murigi Kamande, Edwin Sifuna, Wambugu Gitonga, Dorothy Jemator, Aluso Ingati, Kimani Muhoro amongst others.

An attempt was made to restore order by the following senior counsel:

· Dr. John Khaminwa

· Dr. Kamau Kuria

· Wilfred Nderitu

· Nzamba Gitonga

· Evans Gaturu

· Evans Monari

· Moses Kurgat

· Donald Kipkorir

· Senator Judy Sijeny

· Professor Ben Sihanya

Despite the above attempt, the rowdy members appeared determined not to allow the meeting to proceed in an orderly manner. In order to forestall violence the president adjourned the meeting pursuant to Regulation 39 of the Law Society of Kenya (General) Regulations. Part of the disorder was exhibited by rowdy political slogans, snatching microphones from the secretariat staff and charged violently towards the podium. At that point it was clear that this was a well-orchestrated move whose sole intention was to derail, disrupt the meeting and cause violence. At that point there was no respect for law and order.

This is to assure our members and the general public that the meeting has been adjourned to another date and venue that shall be communicated.

The Council notes with deep concern that despite the adjournment of the meeting by the president of the Law Society of Kenya, a one, Mr. Assa Nyakundi, purported to chair a meeting of the amorphous entity known as Okoa LSK. Notably it is not lost on Council that the aforementioned advocate represented the Attorney General in the Petition related to preventing the Council from issuing a Notice of Dishonour arising from the payment in the Anglo Leasing saga. Any purported motions passed in the meeting chaired by Mr. Nyakundi are null and void.

The Council has prior to the AGM exercised considerable restraint in light of the devious propaganda campaign orchestrated by an amorphous entity called Okoa LSK that was extremely well funded and stage managed the embarrassing disruption of the AGM. We have information that a meeting was held in Harambee House in the office of a senior government official. Kshs. 20 million was released to a lawyer who is closely related to a cabinet secretary. This money was used to run adverts in the media, uploading a 10 minute video on YouTube, transporting and accommodating advocates to disrupt the AGM.

The Council is currently taking the following steps:

1. Reviewing the video footage of the proceedings with a view to taking both criminal and disciplinary proceedings against any member who misconducted themselves.

2. To investigate the allegations we have received that some of the members had been purposely given instructions by external forces to disrupt the AGM.

3. Immediately report to the police, members who were intercepted at the screening point carrying crude weapons.

We wish to condemn the disgraceful conduct of a section of our membership that has brought this noble profession to disrepute both locally and internationally.

We are aware that there has been an attempt to emasculate and weaken the Council with a view to derailing it from addressing matters of national importance such as mega-corruption.

Eric Mutua, OGW

President