Hundreds of people seeking justice at Nakuru courts were on Monday stranded for hours as advocates downed their tools protesting the murder of their colleague, Willie Kimani and his two companions.
It was a rude shock for many of them who had travelled from far and wide only to learn that advocates representing them had started a daylong strike in solidarity with their colleagues countrywide.
They complained that they had no prior knowledge of the planned strike, as they helplessly watched their advocates hold a peaceful march to the area police commandant offices demanding to be assured of their security.
“They should have served us with a notice of the planned strike instead of having us stranded here for hours,” said Gichuki Kanyago.
Kanyago, who was attending a succession case at the High Court, however, said he was in support of the strike and called on the government to do proper investigations to ensure the perpetrators were brought to book.
Another client, Daniel Gitonga, who had traveled from neighboring Laikipia County, said the strike notwithstanding, they deserved to be informed of when normal operations would resume.
“We have been here since 8am and no one has bothered to tell us when court sessions will resume,” complained Gitonga.
The advocates under the banner of Nakuru Bar Association said they expected nothing short of proper investigations with no cover-ups over the murder of Kimani, his client, Josephat Mwendwa and taxi driver, Joseph Muiruri.
“We are demanding that proper investigations be instituted and not just mere rhetoric,” said Counsel Wahome Gikonyo, the association chair.
They accused the Inspector General of Police of sleeping on his job by failing to act on death threat reports they alleged he had received from the slain lawyer weeks before his murder.
Three police officers based at Syokimau police station have been arrested over suspected abduction and murder of the trio who disappeared after attending court in Mavoko Law Courts.