Lawyers in Kisumu on Friday, July 10, 2026, joined colleagues across the country in mourning two slain advocates, calling for swift investigations into their deaths while raising concern over rising insecurity, femicide and violent crime.

Speaking during a solidarity protest, Judicial Service Commission Commissioner and Law Society of Kenya (LSK) representative Jacqueline Ingutia described the day as a sad moment for the legal fraternity, saying the deaths had once again exposed the dangers faced by advocates in the line of duty.

“It has been 10 years since we lost our colleague Willy Kimani, and it is unfortunate that a decade later we are mourning two more lawyers,” Ingutia said.

She urged government agencies and other duty bearers to ensure those behind the killings are identified and held accountable, noting that advocates occupy a critical position in safeguarding justice and the rule of law.

Ingutia said delayed investigations into attacks against lawyers undermine public confidence in the justice system and called on security agencies to respond promptly whenever such incidents are reported.

“We hope duty bearers will do the right thing, ensure lawyers’ lives are protected and take immediate action whenever such incidents occur,” she said.

Keige and Kariuki’s deaths

The protest came in the wake of the deaths of advocates Esther Wairimu Keige and Edward Muthe Kariuki, whose killings have sparked outrage within the legal fraternity.

Reading a statement on behalf of the LSK West Kenya Branch, chairperson Grace Otieno condemned the killings and linked them to the broader challenges of rising femicide and worsening insecurity across the country. 

She said the right to life and personal security, as guaranteed under Articles 26 and 29 of the Constitution, must be protected without exception.

“When advocates are threatened, attacked and killed, we are placed in a position where we cannot effectively discharge our duties. An attack on a lawyer is an attack on the administration of justice,” Otieno said.

The branch demanded that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the National Police Service expedite investigations into the murders, saying the time for statements had passed and concrete action was now required.

“Today we demand action. We demand justice. We demand security for all citizens of this country,” she said.

Otieno further revealed that the Law Society of Kenya, together with the Kenya National Human Rights Commission and other stakeholders, recently met the Kisumu County commissioner and security agencies to discuss the county’s security situation.

She said the meeting resolved that improving security in Kisumu should be treated as a top priority to enable residents to live peacefully and conduct their businesses without fear.

“The Law Society will continue performing its oversight role to ensure security agencies do not abandon their constitutional mandate of protecting lives and property,” she added.

LSK Kisumu Chapter chairperson Dorcas Akinyi Oluoch said the legal fraternity was deeply saddened by the violent deaths, extending condolences to the families, friends, clients and colleagues of the deceased advocates.

She described the killings as not only an attack on individual lives but also on the administration of justice, the independence of the legal profession and the rule of law.

“Every advocate is entitled to live and practise their profession free from violence, intimidation and fear,” she said. 

Oluoch called for swift, impartial, independent and transparent investigations, insisting that all those responsible, including perpetrators, accomplices and masterminds, be brought to justice.

She also challenged Kenyans to confront the growing wave of violence, including femicide, rape and homicide, saying the country must not normalise such crimes. 

“It is time for all of us to reflect, to have honest conversations and to work together to end violence in Kenya,” she said.

The lawyers concluded the protest by reaffirming their commitment to defending the rule of law while calling on the government to strengthen the protection of advocates and all Kenyans against escalating insecurity.