The High Court of Kenya ruled that lawyer Willie Kimani, his client Josephat Mwenda and their driver Joseph Muiruri were abducted and executed by police and allowed the Law Society of Kenya to seek compensation on behalf of the victims’ families.
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
LAW SOCIETY OF KENYA
Lavington, Opposite Valley Arcade, Gitanga Road
P.O Box 72219-00200
Nairobi, Kenya
E-mail: lsk@lsk.or.ke
ISAAC EDWIN NICHOLAS OKERO
President, Law Society of Kenya
Behan & Okero Advocates
Bando Chambers, 1st Floor, Temple Road
P.O Box 1234-40100
Kisumu, Kenya
E-mail: info@bando.co.ke
Dear Colleagues, Mr. President,
Re: Law Society of Kenya’s Response to Murder of Willie Kimani
I am writing on behalf of Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada (LRWC), a committee of lawyers and other human rights defenders who promote international human rights and the rule of law through advocacy, education and legal research. LRWC is a volunteer-run NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.
We write to commend the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) for its response to the abduction and murder of lawyer Willie Kimani, his client Josephat Mwenda, and their driver Joseph Muiruri and to offer our congratulations for the recent High Court ruling. In particular, we congratulate the LSK for the effectiveness and speed of its request for compensation for the families of the victims. LRWC has pressed for accountability and remediation in many cases of murdered lawyers in countries around the world. We know of no other case where a Law Society has responded so quickly and effectively as the LSK in the present instance.
In July, LRWC issued a letter condemning Mr. Kimani’s murder, and calling upon the government of Kenya to investigate and provide reparations for families of victims of extrajudicial killings. The letter also requested an Independent Commission of Inquiry to review cases of forced to address specific and systemic factors contributing to the high rate of disappearance and assassination in Kenya.
LRWC is continuing to monitor this case, and the undersigned would appreciate receiving your updates on further developments.
Sincerely,
Gavin Magrath, Barrister and Solicitor, Director, LRWC
