Embu, Kenya — A Siakago court in Embu has sentenced a woman to two years’ imprisonment for impersonating an advocate of the High Court of Kenya and defrauding a client of Sh. 229,000.
The accused, Jane Kiura, falsely represented herself as an advocate of the High Court between November 19 and December 2, 2024, in Siakago town, Mbeere North Sub-County.
Prosecution counsel Fridah Makena told the court that Kiura claimed to work under I. Mwai, Advocate and Commissioner for Oaths, convinced John Ngari that she could process a title deed—a service she never delivered.
Kiura was found guilty of obtaining money by false pretences and impersonating a High Court advocate.
Resident Magistrate J.N. Githiaga ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
For the offence of obtaining money by false pretences, Kiura was fined Sh. 100,000; in default, she will serve one year’s imprisonment. For impersonating an advocate, she was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment.
Court evidence revealed that Kiura had been operating an office as an advocate at Eva Plaza in Siakago town. A third prosecution witness confirmed the location of the office.
“While appreciating that the Law Society of Kenya now has a committee dedicated to primarily dealing with quacks and masqueraders, and while advancing the need for the said office to be closed forthwith,” the court ordered, directing the Law Society of Kenya’s Practice, Ethics, and Standards Committee to close the office and confiscate stamps issued in the name of J.I. Mwai, Advocate and Commissioner for Oaths.
The court ruling reflects ongoing efforts to curb impersonation in the legal profession and protect members of the public from fraudulent practitioners operating as legal professionals.
