Advocates under the Chuka Bar Chapter of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) have announced an immediate boycott of proceedings before Court No. 2 at the Chuka Law Courts, citing allegations of unprofessional conduct against the presiding judicial officer.
Documents seen by The Peak indicate that the advocates resolved to stop appearing before Court No. 2, presided over by Senior Principal Magistrate Duke Atuti Ocharo, following what they described as persistent concerns over the manner in which the court has been conducted.
In a letter dated July 22, 2026, addressed to Chief Justice Martha Koome and the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), the lawyers alleged “persistent unreasonable, unprofessional and corrupt conduct” by the magistrate.
The advocates further claimed they had on previous occasions raised concerns with the Judiciary, alleging acts of corruption, demeaning treatment of advocates and partiality in the handling of cases, but that no satisfactory action had been taken.
“Unfortunately, the said court has only persisted in perpetuating this conduct,” the letter states.
The communication, signed by Chuka Bar Chairperson Lucy Kaaria, Secretary General Damaris Musyimi, Treasurer Angela Nyaga and Organizing Secretary Dennis Gitari, also notifies the Judiciary that advocates from the Law Society of Kenya’s Mt. Kenya Chapter intend to appear at the magistrate’s chambers on July 30, 2026.
Copies of the letter were also forwarded to the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary, the Presiding Judge at Chuka Law Courts, the Chief Magistrate at Chuka Law Courts, the Secretary/CEO of the Law Society of Kenya, the Chairperson of the Mt. Kenya Chapter and all advocates of the Chuka Bar.
The boycott is expected to affect proceedings before Court No. 2, with litigants likely to experience delays until the dispute is resolved.
The Peak has independently seen the documents but has not independently verified the allegations contained in them. At the time of publication, the Judiciary, the Judicial Service Commission and Senior Principal Magistrate Duke Atuti Ocharo had not issued a public response to the claims. Their responses will be incorporated once received.
