By Alfred Mataza
MOMBASA, Kenya – The Mombasa Law Society (MLS) has called for an immediate, thorough and independent investigation into the killings of advocates Esther Wairimu Keige and Edward Kariuki Muthee, warning that continued attacks on members of the legal profession pose a serious threat to the administration of justice and the rule of law in Kenya.
The demand was made on Friday during the Purple Ribbon March, a peaceful procession that drew together hundreds of advocates, judicial officers, law students, civil society organizations and members of the public through the streets of Mombasa before culminating at the Mombasa Law Courts.
Participants, many wearing purple ribbons as a symbol of remembrance and solidarity, marched while carrying placards calling for justice, accountability and enhanced protection for advocates across the country. The demonstration was held to honour the memories of the two slain lawyers and to urge investigative agencies to expedite inquiries into their deaths.
Addressing the gathering, Mombasa Law Society Chairperson Natasha Ali Errey condemned the killings, describing them as brutal attacks that had shaken the legal fraternity and raised serious concerns over the safety of advocates in the course of their professional duties.
She emphasized that the legal community would continue demanding justice until all those involved in the murders were identified, arrested, prosecuted and convicted in accordance with the law.
“We are demanding a thorough, independent and transparent investigation into the brutal killing of our colleagues, Esther Wairimu Keige and Edward Kariuki Muthee. Those responsible must be identified, arrested, prosecuted and punished in accordance with the law,” Errey said.
She noted that advocates play a critical role in safeguarding constitutional rights, promoting access to justice and defending the rule of law, adding that they should be able to perform their duties without fear, intimidation or threats to their lives.
According to Errey, the deaths of the two advocates represent not only a tragedy for their families and colleagues but also a direct assault on the country’s justice system.
“Today’s march is not only to honour the memory of our fallen colleagues but also to reaffirm our commitment to justice, accountability and the safety of every advocate in Kenya. We shall not be silenced,” she added.
The chairperson further called upon investigative agencies to keep the public informed on the progress of the investigations, saying transparency would help restore confidence in the country’s criminal justice system.
She urged the government to strengthen security measures for advocates, particularly those handling sensitive cases, and to ensure that attacks against officers of the court are treated with the seriousness they deserve.
The Purple Ribbon March attracted support from various stakeholders within the justice sector, including representatives from the Judiciary, the Law Society of Kenya, human rights organizations and members of the public, who joined hands in calling for accountability and protection of legal practitioners.
Also addressing the gathering, East Africa Law Society Chairperson Abubakar reaffirmed the regional body’s commitment to supporting efforts aimed at ensuring justice for the slain advocates.
He said the East Africa Law Society stood in solidarity with the Mombasa Law Society, the families of the deceased and the wider legal fraternity during what he described as a difficult period.
“The East Africa Law Society stands in solidarity with the Mombasa Law Society and the families of the deceased. We will work together to ensure that justice prevails and that those behind these murders face the full force of the law,” he said.
Abubakar warned that attacks targeting advocates not only endanger individual lawyers but also undermine judicial independence, weaken public confidence in the legal system and threaten democratic governance across the region.
“An attack on an advocate is an attack on justice itself. We will continue working with our partners to safeguard the legal profession and ensure accountability,” he said.
He called on governments across East Africa to strengthen legal protections for advocates and uphold the independence of the legal profession, noting that lawyers play an indispensable role in defending constitutional rights and ensuring equal access to justice.
Throughout the march, participants observed moments of silence in honour of the two advocates and renewed calls for law enforcement agencies to move with speed in unraveling the circumstances surrounding the killings.
The procession concluded at the Mombasa Law Courts, where participants reiterated their demands for justice, enhanced security for advocates and stronger institutional measures to protect legal practitioners from violence, intimidation and harassment while carrying out their professional responsibilities.
The legal fraternity vowed to continue pursuing justice for Esther Wairimu Keige and Edward Kariuki Muthee, insisting that the deaths of the two advocates must not become another unresolved chapter in Kenya’s justice system.
