Lawyers in Kitale joined the countrywide protests against extrajudicial killings as a way of showing solidarity and condemning the brutal murder of their learned friend Willie Kimani, his client Josephat Mwenda and Joseph Muiruri, a taxi driver whose bodies were found in the Oldonyo Sabuk river.
Led by Trans Nzoia LSK Chapter chairman Richard Mwamu, the Advocates condemned the brutal killing of their friend and blamed the security agencies for their laxity in ensuring that security of all the legal fraternity team in Kenya is well catered.
He said the way that their friend was killed raises querries to the security forces who have been given the mandate to protect Kenyan citizens, adding that the attackers are people who are out to cause fear and urged the government to take stern action as per the law of the land.
He appealed to the government to do their job responsibly and not hide anything so that justice comes up trumps against the law breakers, who he said took away the life of the innocent Advocate who was just going about his business according to the law.
The chairman said as the legal fraternity, they were saddened by increasing cases of threats against them which have finally led to the murder of one of their own.
He blamed the security agencies for what he termed ‘sleeping on their jobs’ and forsaking their jobs.
His sentiments were echoed by the West Pokot assembly speaker Richard Katina who equally condemned the brutal killing of the lawyer together with his client and taxi driver and appealed to the investigation team to come up with detailed reports that will be used in the prosecution of the suspects in court so that they face the full force of law.
Speaker Katina said that the lives of lawyers now are at risk following the brutal killing of their colleague and said that they will not be cowed by the killings that has happened which the attackers want to silence them from performing their jobs
He appealed to his colleagues in the legal fraternity to remain strong, and ensure that they go about their business of representing their clients without fear despite what has happened to their friend.
The sentiments were supported by Kitale Advocate Peter Kiarie who condemned the tragic incident and appealed to the team doing investigations to make sure that justice prevails.
According with the Inspector General of police Joseph Boinet, detectives have put together sufficient evidence against senior sergeant Fredrick Leliman, a principal suspect in the matter.
“As of now, we have lots of crucial circumstantial evidence to prove that sergeant Leliman has something to do with the disappearance of the three people,” said the IG.
Corporal Stephen Chebulet and Constable Sylvia Wanjiku were added in the case as they were officers on duty on June 23, when the three disappeared.
According with Boinet, there are two crucial individuals who say they saw the lawyer, his client and the taxi driver in the container, which is used as a cell at the police station.
