There was a dramatic scene at the Kisii Law Courts on Thursday when an unqualified man posing as a lawyer was arrested while representing three fake advocates already facing charges for impersonation.
The bizarre turn of events unfolded during a plea hearing for three suspects accused of masquerading as lawyers and operating from cybercafes within Kisii town, where they allegedly offered legal services to unsuspecting clients.
In an unexpected twist, the suspects were represented by another impostor, identified as Peter Ngeri Ouma, who openly admitted in court that he did not possess a valid Certificate of Practice. Ngeri claimed he had applied for the certification but was yet to receive it.
The revelation sparked confusion in the courtroom, prompting Senior Principal Magistrate Omwansa Benard to intervene.
“You can take care of him as he records a statement and the investigations to follow. In other words, you don’t have the audience without the certificate,” the Magistrate directed police officers, ordering Ngeri’s immediate arrest.
Court officers quickly escorted him out as murmurs filled the packed courtroom, bringing the session to an abrupt halt.
The three accused persons were later released on a Ksh.50,000 bond each, with their case scheduled for mention on November 13, 2025.
Meanwhile, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Kisii Branch, which was part of the prosecution, vowed to intensify the ongoing crackdown on fake lawyers operating across the county.
“We are appealing to the public to remain vigilant. These impostors are not just in cybercafes they are everywhere. They collect money, mislead clients, and damage the reputation of genuine legal practitioners,” the LSK said in a statement.
Authorities say the Kisii incident is part of a growing trend where unqualified individuals exploit unsuspecting citizens seeking affordable legal assistance. The crackdown is expected to continue as investigations widen into how widespread the fake lawyer network might be.
