Law Society of Kenya orders nationwide and targeted court boycotts

The directive includes a one-day nationwide boycott and an indefinite targeted boycott of specific courts and judges. The targeted action applies to judges and judicial officers who have obtained court orders to restrain disciplinary proceedings against them by the Judicial Service Commission JSC or the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission EACC. Advocates are instructed to refrain from participating in all court hearings and applications during the boycott, with limited exceptions for obtaining fresh hearing dates or extending existing interim orders.

Document filing and statutory deadlines remain unaffected. The LSK has formally notified the Judiciary of the boycott to facilitate administrative arrangements. The targeted boycott extends to the Supreme Court of Kenya, as the LSK states that most Supreme Court judges remain in office due to court orders restraining the JSC from acting on complaints against them.

Advocates encountering affected judges are to request matter transfers, recusal, or adjournments. Non-compliance by judges, judicial officers, or advocates is to be reported to the LSK for potential complaints to the JSC and further action.