An individual purporting to be a lawyer has been arrested after running an organisation for almost seven years, along with a law firm in Uasin Gishu County.

The suspect was found to be operating a human rights organisation and offering legal services without any legal qualifications.

In a press briefing, Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Council Member Steve Mbugua said that the operation was carried out on June 19, with the help of police officers.

"The individual whom we have arrested has been here for more than 7 years. Running an organisation in the disguise of a human rights organisation,” he said.

A police vehicle pictured at a scene of a crime

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NPS

The arrest was made after LSK received reports from the members of the public and LSK's local leadership.

Mbugua said during the operation, vital documents were recovered, including files of ongoing court cases.

“It is unfortunate that we have recovered very critical documents, which have been drafted by persons who are not qualified."

“We have come here to collect the evidence that this individual has been running a law firm where they have been purporting to lawyer preparing legal documents and agreements, which is contrary to the law," Mbugua said.

Mbugua said the individual has been conning members of the public by pretending to be a lawyer and drafting crucial documents.

He issued a stern warning to others who may be illegally practising law. This arrest comes as part of the ongoing nationwide crackdown on fake lawyers.

Earlier on June 5, five other people were arrested for pretending to be lawyers and operating for 13 years in Bungoma.

LSK said that the local security agency revealed that the suspects had been running four different law firms.

Police placing a suspect in handcuffs during an arrest

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NPS