Judiciary Says Courts Are Open Amid Lawyers’ Boycott and Reports of Kenyans Being Stranded

The Judiciary of Kenya has affirmed that courts across the country are operating despite a nationwide lawyers’ boycott, as reports emerge of Kenyans being stranded at various court stations, including the Nakuru Law Courts.

In a statement issued on July 22, 2026, the Judiciary said judicial officers and staff remain on duty and continue to handle scheduled matters.

“We wish to inform the public that court processes and proceedings continue uninterrupted across all court stations. Judicial officers and staff remain on duty and continue to discharge their constitutional mandate, ensuring that matters scheduled for hearing and other court services proceed as planned,” the Judiciary stated.

However, reports indicate that some Kenyans have been left stranded after advocates failed to appear in court following the lawyers’ boycott.

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Lawyers Boycott Over Accountability Demands

Meanwhile, lawyers across the country have stayed away from regular court proceedings to push for reforms aimed at strengthening judicial accountability and independence.

Despite this, the Judiciary maintains that court services remain accessible even in the absence of advocates in many cases.

“We remain committed to upholding the rule of law, safeguarding access to justice, and ensuring the efficient and impartial administration of justice for all court users,” the Judiciary added.

LSK Outlines Exceptions in Boycott

At the same time, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has clarified that the boycott does not amount to a complete withdrawal from all court proceedings.

Speaking during an interview on Wednesday, July 22, LSK President Charles Kanjama said advocates would decide whether to appear in such cases.

He explained that lawyers may still attend court in matters involving interim orders and criminal cases where suspects must be presented within 24 hours.

“In criminal matters under Article 49 of the Constitution, anyone who’s arrested has to be presented in court within 24 hours. So there are people who’ve been presented in court maybe for plea-taking. The lawyers will determine whether they will appear for the plea-taking or they will leave them to engage the court on their own. So those are, you could say, the special exceptional cases where lawyers will attend court,” he stated.

Also Read: EACC Arrests Senior Magistrate & Probation Officer Over Alleged Ksh 170,000 Bribe

Next Steps

Earlier, the LSK issued a notice on July 17 announcing a nationwide withdrawal from court proceedings today, alongside plans for an indefinite boycott of selected courts.

As the lawyers’ boycott continues, Chief Justice Martha Koome is out of the country, making her unavailable to address the lawyers’ demands directly.

The LSK leadership says it will instead present its concerns to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) when the two sides meet on July 31, 2026.

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Photo of stranded Kenyans at the Nakuru Law Courts after lawyers started nationwide boycott to demand judicial accountability on July 22, 2026. PHOTO/ NTV