Chief Justice Martha Koome on Friday, November 29, 2024, admitted 816 lawyers to the roll of advocates at the Supreme Court buildings.

During the event, Koome challenged the newly crowned lawyers to embrace the possibility of bridging the justice access gap, noting that a significant majority of Kenyans are denied justice due to the high cost of litigation.

Koome observed that vulnerable groups, including the elderly, children, persons with disabilities, and marginalized communities, are disproportionately affected by the high cost of legal representation.

“Given this reality, advocates in Kenya must go beyond what is expected in other jurisdictions to bridge this gap. This involves providing legal services and advice to those who cannot afford them. By addressing this justice gap, you contribute to building a fairer society,” Koome said.

Equal opportunity

Adding: “Your role as advocates extends beyond legal representation. You are social engineers, defenders of the underprivileged, and agents of change. This is not merely a profession but a calling that demands integrity, courage, and unwavering commitment to justice.”

The CJ called on the new cohort of advocates to be compassionate and promote justice and equal opportunity while remaining steadfast in their core values without compromising on their conscience or integrity.

During the ceremony, Koome remarked that the Judiciary would remain steadfast in its commitment to zero tolerance on corruption, noting that measures are in place for effective complaints handling, investigations, and processing systems at both the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and the Office of the Judiciary Ombudsman.

Complaints about judges

“I urge any person with complaints against any Judge, Judicial Officer, or a member of our staff to come forward and lodge such complaints with the two offices for investigations and processing. We are committed to dealing firmly, swiftly, transparently but also fairly with any complaints against any of our personnel,” Koome said.

Koome challenged the new advocates to commit to lifelong learning in the wake of emerging trends and technology in jurisprudence, urging the new cohort to embrace innovation, deepen their understanding of the law, and stay informed about global best practices.

She equally urged the advocates to at all times strive to maintain professional and ethical conduct in their dealings while maintaining financial integrity.

“Cases of advocates mishandling client funds—such as depriving accident victims or widows of their rightful compensation, or disappearing with money entrusted to them for property transactions—undermine public trust in the legal profession. Let your generation of advocates put an end to such unethical practices,” Koome observed.