Law Society of Kenya announces court boycott over judicial concerns
During the boycott period, advocates will suspend court appearances, except for limited matters allowed under the guidelines.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has announced a court boycott by advocates as a form of collective action to protest what it describes as persistent challenges affecting the administration of justice and to push for institutional reforms.
The Society shall undertake a nationwide boycott of court proceedings on Wednesday, 22nd July, 2026.
The Society shall also undertake targeted physical boycotts of courts presided over by Judges and Judicial Officers who have obtained court orders stopping or otherwise preventing the Judicial Service Commission or the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission from exercising their constitutional mandates of investigating or processing complaints or allegations of corruption or misconduct against those Judges or Judicial Officers.
In directions issued on July 17, 2026, the LSK said the boycott will take two forms: a one-day nationwide court boycott and an indefinite targeted boycott of specific courts.
During the boycott period, advocates will suspend court appearances, except for limited matters allowed under the guidelines. However, lawyers will continue filing court documents within the required legal timelines.
The LSK said court mentions and applications involving interim orders will only proceed to secure new hearing dates and extend temporary orders where necessary.
The Society also directed advocates to report any challenges encountered during the boycott through a secure feedback system, with information to be verified and presented to relevant judicial authorities.
The targeted boycott will affect judges and judicial officers who have obtained court orders blocking or interfering with investigations or disciplinary processes before the Judicial Service Commission and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.
The LSK added that the boycott extends to all hearings and applications before the Supreme Court of Kenya, except registry services, citing ongoing concerns involving some judicial officers.
The directives take immediate effect and will remain in force until they are withdrawn or amended by the LSK Council.
