Nakuru lawyers have protested against the entry of foreign law firms in the country saying the move would drive them out of the legal profession.
Speaking at the Nakuru law courts, the lawyers said that a number of foreign law firms have crept in the Kenyan profession with the aim of destabilising the profession.
“Kenya’s legal profession is under siege from foreign law firms. Our worry is that we may be pushed out of the profession,” said Joe Okumu, a Nakuru based lawyer.
“Already the foreign law firms have set up shop in Nairobi, next station will be Nakuru or other major cities. What will be the consequences?” asked Okumu.
Susan Ondiek said: “This is total disregard of the Kenyan legal profession. Laws in the US and the UK do not allow foreign lawfirms to practice in their countries. Why should international lawfirms be allowed to operate in our country?”
James Kariuki, a senior Nakuru–based lawyer said that the government should come up with better policies to bar multi-national law firms from being licensed in Kenya.
“Kenya has enough experience of legal exposure and I do not see any reason why the government should register them. These outsiders should be denied entry into the Kenyan legal market,” said Kariuki.