Judiciary warns LSK as advocates’ court boycott plan hardens
Key points
- The Judiciary has publicly cautioned LSK over planned court boycotts.
- The dispute overlaps with LSK’s naming of judges for targeted indefinite action.
- Access to justice for ordinary litigants is the public interest test.
Kenya’s justice system is in a war of statements. Nation.Africa and related coverage say the Judiciary has told off the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) over planned court boycotts, warning that withdrawing advocates from hearings punishes litigants more than institutions.
The pushback lands alongside LSK’s move — covered separately by ZaKenya — to name specific judges and a magistrate for indefinite targeted boycotts after a one-day nationwide protest. Together, the files describe a profession and a bench talking past each other while case backlogs grow.
Boycotts as leverage — and as risk
Advocates argue boycotts defend independence and protest delays or integrity concerns. Judges argue open courts are a constitutional duty. Both can cite principles; neither can wish away the parent waiting for a custody mention or the SME frozen in a debt suit.
If the standoff prolongs, alternative dispute channels and political brokers will fill the vacuum — rarely to the benefit of the poorest court users.
What would de-escalate
Structured talks with published agendas, time-bound reforms on case management, and clear ethics enforcement that does not require shutting courtrooms. Until then, expect more circulars, more press conferences, and more delayed justice.
Related: LSK’s named-judge boycott plan. Contacts: directory.
Public multi-outlet synthesis of the Judiciary–LSK dispute.