Controversial Lawyer Cliff Ombeta is being investigated by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) for allegedly practicing law without a current practice certificate.
Ombeta may have been working without a license for more than a year, LSK CEO Florence Muturi claimed in a statement shared on Twitter on May 2.
The Advocates Disciplinary Tribunal will receive a formal complaint against the attorney following the completion of the investigation into the claims.
“We note that there are allegations of the advocate having practised without a practising certificate for the first part of the year and as far back as last year. The allegations are being investigated and when sufficient evidence is collected, a formal complaint against the advocate will be lodged with the Advocates Disciplinary Tribunal,” the statement read in part.
Florence Muturi said that Ombeta withdrew his practicing certificate for 2023 in February but reinstated it on May 1 after members of the public questioned his ‘inactive’ status.
“The advocate did a notice of intention to take out his practising certificate for the year 2023 pursuant to Section 25 of the Advocates Act having not held a Practising Certificate in the year 2022. The application was tabled before the Council on 26th January 2023 and approved.
“The advocate was notified, by letter, on 2nd February 2023. The application was approved on the condition that the advocate paid backfees and any other fees required. The advocate paid backfees, Advocates Benevolent Association (ABA) fees and CPD fees on 7th March 2023,” Muturi said.
“The Council has noted the concerns raised by members on social media platforms regarding one of our members Mr Cliff Ombeta Advocate who has been publicized by the media as the legal representative of Pastor Ezekiel Odero currently accused of crimes in relation to the Shakahola murders.
“It was noted that on the advocate’s search engine, the advocate had appeared as ‘Inactive’ and therefore not holding a current practicing certificate for the year 2023 yet he has been reported to be actively representing clients and taking instructions,” the statement reads.
