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Faith Odhiambo threatens to lead lawyers in boycotting courts over Maua incident
02nd November, 2025 01:13 AM
Following an incident at the Maua Law Courts, where a group of lawyers blocked a magistrate’s vehicle and even hurled inflammatory words, the Judicial Service Commission and the Law Society of Kenya are in conflict.
The incident, which unfolded on October 30, 2025, drew condemnation from the Kenya Magistrates and Judges Association (KMJA), which termed the actions a grave attack on judicial independence and the rule of law.
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In a response on Saturday, November 1, 2025, the Law Society of Kenya, in a statement signed by its President, Faith Odhiambo, threatened to lead advocates in boycotting court sessions across the country.
According to LSK, the Kenya Magistrates and Judges Association failed to take action against judicial officers whom the advocates accused of misconduct.
“The KMJA’s response falls short of addressing the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for decisive action against judicial officers who engage in misconduct,” the letter signed by Faith Odhiambo read in part.
“The Society recognizes the seriousness of the issues raised and emphasizes that judicial independence and accountability are not mutually exclusive; they are complementary pillars of the rule of law that must be upheld without hesitation. The LSK condemns the condescending behaviour and attitude of Hon. Damacaline Bosirbori, Maua Law Courts, towards advocates, staff, members of the public, and court users,” it added.
Standing grievances
LSK further argued that the situation in Maua was in isolation but reflected a broader malaise and grievances about the conduct of some judicial officers, and strained relationships between the Bar, the Bench, and court users.
“Although the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has established mechanisms to address these issues, including the Judicial Conduct Complaints Commission and the Court Users’ Committees, more needs to be done to ensure that these mechanisms are effective in promoting accountability and transparency within the Judiciary,” the society decried.
Demands to JSC
To address the matter, the Law Society of Kenya called on the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to immediately institute a comprehensive and impartial investigation into the conduct of judicial officers stationed at Maua Law Courts, including those named in formal complaints.
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The society further directed JSC to conduct a thorough review of the administrative and working conditions at Maua Law Courts to identify and address the systemic challenges that have contributed to the breakdown of relationships between advocates, judicial officers, and court users.
“Ensure that accountability measures are substantive and not limited to cosmetic transfers, which have proven ineffective in addressing misconduct and restoring public trust,” LSK demanded.
Boycott
With talks to address the matter failing to yield results, LSK threatened to mobilise its members to boycott all court stations in the country until an understanding is reached.
“We note that the insistence on the part of the leadership of the Judiciary and KMJA for continued stakeholder dialogue has not yielded the desired results. As such, LSK is pursuing other alternatives to dialogue, including mobilising its members to boycott all court stations across the country until a level of understanding on the myriad issues being raised by our members are addressed.”
KMJA statement
Their demands came hours after KMJA condemned the harassment of a sitting magistrate at the Maua Law Courts, terming it a grave attack on judicial independence and the rule of law.
In a statement released on Friday, October 31, 2025, KMJA Secretary General Tom Mark Olando said the association was profoundly alarmed and deeply concerned by the incident and the growing trend of hostility towards judicial officers.
“The Kenya Magistrates and Judges Association (KMJA) issues this statement with profound alarm and deep consternation in the wake of the shocking events that unfolded at the Maua Law Courts on Thursday, 30 October 2025 and the cyberbullying by a section of advocates with a budding unprecedented trend of litigation and re-litigation on social media with deliberate misinformation,” Olando said.
