LSK Writes to CJ Koome Seeking to Block Admission of 6 Foreign Lawyers to Kenyan Bar

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has written to Chief Justice Martha Koome objecting to the planned admission of six foreign nationals to the Roll of Advocates in Kenya, citing legal ineligibility under the current law.

In a letter dated February 11, 2026, the outgoing LSK President, Faith Odhiambo, raised concerns about the inclusion of the six individuals listed in Gazette Notices published on December 24, 2025, and January 30, 2026, respectively.

“The Council of the Law Society of Kenya has reviewed the two Gazette Notices and formally objects to the admission of the six foreign nationals identified below,” read part of the letter.

LSK Opposes Admission of South Sudanese, Chinese Nationals to Kenyan Bar

According to the Society, the notices issued by the Council of Legal Education and the Judiciary listed persons who had complied with the requirements of Section 13 of the Advocates Act, including passing examinations and completing pupillage, and were therefore eligible for admission to the Bar.

However, LSK said it had reviewed the notices and formally objected to the admission of six foreign applicants from South Sudan and China, arguing that they do not meet the legal requirements for admission as advocates in Kenya.

Also Read: Charles Kanjama, the Newly Elected President of the Law Society of Kenya

The Society cited several court decisions, including Law Society of Kenya v Attorney General & 2 others [2019], Otieno & another v Council of Legal Education [2021], and Council of Legal Education v Tusasirwe & 13 others [2025], which declared amendments to Sections 12 and 13 of the Advocates Act unconstitutional due to lack of public participation.

LSK said the rulings effectively reverted eligibility requirements to the pre-2012 legal framework, which allows admission only for:

• Kenyan citizens,
• Advocates from the High Court of Uganda and Tanzania, and
• Certain advocates qualified in Commonwealth countries under reciprocal arrangements.

The Society noted that neither South Sudan nor China has reciprocal agreements with Kenya, and China is not a Commonwealth country.

“The following applicants are therefore ineligible for admission to the Kenyan Roll of Advocates: Awai Adhieu, Torpuot Kueth Chuol Both, Achol Okoo, Alier Geu, Ziwei Qi, and Shelina Qi,” the Society stated.

Concern Over Continued Listing of Ineligible Applicants

LSK also expressed concern over what it described as the continued presentation of ineligible candidates by legal training institutions, warning that such actions could create false expectations among applicants.

“The Society further expresses grave concern that the Kenya School of Law continues to present manifestly ineligible candidates for admission, in disregard of statutory requirements,” the letter stated.

Also Read: Court Bars Police from Arresting Kenyans Over ‘Disturbance’

At the same time, LSK acknowledged the need for legislative reforms to address the admission of foreign advocates, particularly within the East African Community.

The Society pointed to recommendations made in the 2025 Working Committee on Legal Education Sector Reforms and other legal reform reports, which proposed allowing foreign advocates to practice in Kenya on a reciprocal basis and subject to strict regulatory safeguards.

LSK urged the Judiciary to support efforts aimed at ensuring compliance with the law and facilitating necessary reforms to align Kenya’s legal framework with regional commitments.

Follow our WhatsApp channel for instant news updates

Last session of Lawyers who were admitted to the roll of Advocates
PHOTO/Judiciary/X