Advocate Cliff Ombetta under probe for operating without a practicing license
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has launched an investigation against prominent advocate Cliff Ombeta to determine whether he represented Pastor Ezekiel Odero without a practicing certificate.
According to LSK, Mr Ombeta’s membership to the society was activated on May 2, 2023, after applying and paying for the practicing certificate the previous day.
Since 2022, Mr Ombeta’s membership in the society was inactive.
“The council has noted the concerns raised by members on social media platforms regarding one of our members Mr Cliff Ombeta 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,” LSK Secretary Florence Muturi said.
“It was noted that on the advocates’ 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 advocate’s status was on May 2, 2023, updated to ‘active’ thus raising various issues and accusations the society has colluded with the advocate to change his status,” she said.
LSK further clarified that Mr Ombetta wrote a notice to the Council to take out his practicing certificate for the year 2023. The application was tabled before the council on January 26, 2023, and approved.
My Ombeta was later notified by a letter on February 2, 2023.
Ms Muturi states that his application was approved on the condition that Mr Ombeta paid back fees and any other fees required.
“The advocate paid back fees, advocates benevolent association fees and CPD fees on March 7, 2023.
Upon payment he was eligible to apply for the practising certificate 2023. The advocate paid for the practicing certificate on May 1, 2023, and was issued a receipt via the portal on the same date. Upon payment the system automatically activates the member on the next rollover which was the morning of May 2,” Ms Muturi explained.
“We note that there are allegations of the advocate having practiced without a practicing 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 advocate disciplinary tribunal,” she said.
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