Assassination Attempt That Has Kenyan Lawyers Up in Arms

Kenyan Lawyers

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) on Monday condemned a planned assassination of one its members, Lawyer Charles Kanjama.

The body released a statement following revelations in local news sites stating that the lawyer was also targetted by hitman David Mwai who shot former Garissa CEC Idriss Muktar - being that the latter was his client.

According to the Standard, Ksh400,000 was recovered from suspects linked to Mukhtar’s shooting.

Further investigations revealed that the amount recovered was part of Ksh2.4 Million that was to be paid for the murder of Idriss and Kanjama.

Investigators privy to the case disclosed the hitman had carried out a reconnaissance visit to the lawyer's office before carrying out the hit. 

“They met twice and the lawyer even gave them his business card and agreed they would return. He did not know the day they would return was meant to be to kill or harm him,” an investigator was quoted by the publication.

Following the chilling details, LSK noted with concern the rising number of reported cases of harassment, threats and endangerment of its members in the course of their lawful duties.

"Advocate Kanjama who is also the chairperson of the Nairobi Branch was reliably informed by the police investigating the matter that he is a target for elimination by certain criminals because of providing legal services to his client Mr Idriss Muktar," LSK President Allen Gichuhi stated.

Gichuhi went further and explained that the unlawful plot was an attempt to silence persons interested in pursuing justice and to defeat constitutional rights to legal representation by an advocate of personal choice as well as other rights guaranteed under the constitution.

"We are rightly informed that there are attempts by the key suspects in this matter to interfere with investigations to the extent of eliminating and or attempting to eliminate key witnesses. 

"The Society hereby calls for urgent and thorough investigations into the matter, prosecution of the suspects and a committment from the Government, Inspector General of Police and all the relevant authorities to the enforcement of the law, order and security of all Kenyans," he proclaimed.

The LSK President assured that the council would keenly follow the matter to its conclusion with a view to ensuring that justice is meted out in the matter that is of great public interest.