Commission urges Kenyans to report advocates accused of professional misconduct

The Advocates Complaints Commission has urged members of the public to report lawyers accused of professional misconduct, noting that many Kenyans remain unaware of the institution mandated to handle complaints against advocates.

Commission Chairperson Moses Cheboi stressed that increased public awareness of the commission would help citizens seek redress through the appropriate channels instead of relying on chiefs, religious institutions and other offices that are often overwhelmed by complaints.

Speaking during a stakeholder sensitisation forum in Nairobi, Cheboi said the commission was established to provide a platform through which members of the public could raise concerns about the conduct of advocates and seek appropriate intervention.

He observed that despite its long existence, the commission remained relatively unknown to many Kenyans, denying some complainants the opportunity to access its services.

“Advocates Complaints Commission is a very old organisation, and yet it is not very well known,” the Chairperson established, calling for greater public awareness of its mandate and complaint-handling procedures.

Further, Cheboi highlighted that the sensitisation exercise was intended to educate stakeholders on how to lodge complaints, identify qualified advocates, and understand the professional standards expected of legal practitioners.

He encouraged members of the public to use the commission’s website to access information and submit complaints without necessarily visiting its offices, which are located on the 20^th floor of the Co-operative Bank Building in Nairobi.

Importantly, the Chairperson cautioned Kenyans against engaging lawyers without first establishing whether they were qualified and authorised to practise law.

In this respect, Cheboi explained that members of the public should verify an advocate’s practising status before entrusting them with legal matters, noting that complaints involving individuals who are not authorised to practise may fall outside the commission’s mandate.

He also urged clients to consider an advocate’s area of specialisation when seeking legal services to ensure that their cases are handled by practitioners with relevant expertise.

The Chairperson on the other hand emphasised the importance of agreeing on legal fees and other terms of engagement before a lawyer begins handling a matter.

He insisted that clear agreements at the outset could help prevent misunderstandings between advocates and their clients, particularly over payment and the handling of cases.

Equally, Cheboi maintained that empowering citizens with information on their rights and the Commission’s mandate would help strengthen accountability within the legal profession and improve access to justice.

In his remarks, Nairobi North Sub-Region County Commissioner Simon Osumba welcomed the Commission’s outreach initiative, saying the sensitisation forum would help stakeholders understand where and how to report lawyers suspected of professional misconduct.

Osumba reiterated that public awareness of the available complaint mechanisms was essential in ensuring that grievances against advocates were directed to the appropriate institution for consideration.

He specifically encouraged Nairobi residents to take advantage of the engagement to familiarise themselves with the Commission’s services and procedures for lodging complaints.

The administrator also called on Nairobians to maintain peace and harmony before, during, and after the next general election.

Osumba maintained that peaceful coexistence among residents was important as the country approached the electoral period, urging the public to promote tolerance, respect differing opinions, and avoid actions that could undermine peace and security.

He said maintaining harmony was a shared responsibility that required cooperation among communities, local leaders, and government institutions.

Meanwhile, the sensitisation forum brought together stakeholders to discuss the Commission’s role in promoting professional accountability and informing members of the public about the channels available for addressing complaints against advocates.

The Commission, in the meantime, has been moving into different regions across the country, creating awareness about its mandate, and holding its public sensitisation at a Nairobi hotel after paying a courtesy call to the new Nairobi Region Commissioner, Rhoda Nyaboke Onyancha, at her office in Nairobi.

By Aron Kinyamasyo