NAIROBI, Kenya, July 10 — The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) on Friday held its annual Purple Ribbon March in Nairobi, with advocates suspending court duties to demand justice following the deaths of lawyer Edward Muthee Kariuki and Kenya Forest Service (KFS) Legal Services Manager Esther Wairimu Keige.
The peaceful procession began outside the Milimani Law Courts before proceeding to Vigilance House, the National Police Service headquarters, where lawyers presented a petition calling for swift investigations, accountability and enhanced security for advocates.
The march comes amid growing concern within Kenya’s legal fraternity over attacks, disappearances and killings targeting legal professionals.
Martha Karua Joins Justice March
Among those who joined the procession was Senior Counsel and former Justice Minister Martha Karua, who said the legal fraternity was united in demanding answers over the deaths.
“Today, I’m joining fellow advocates and the Law Society of Kenya in a March for Justice following the tragic deaths of Advocates Edward Muthee Kariuki and Esther Wairimu Keige,” Karua posted on X.
“We stand in solidarity with their families, colleagues, and every Kenyan demanding truth, accountability, and justice.”
She added that those responsible must be identified, prosecuted and held fully accountable for the deaths.
Purple Ribbon Symbolises Justice
The Purple Ribbon March has become the legal profession’s annual symbol of remembrance and resistance against attacks on advocates.
Each year, lawyers temporarily suspend court appearances to participate in the procession, calling for justice, accountability and stronger protection for members of the Bar.
This year’s march was held under the message: “We will not be silenced.”
The advocates later delivered a petition to the Inspector General of Police at Vigilance House, urging security agencies to intensify investigations into the recent deaths and strengthen the safety of legal practitioners across the country.
Kariuki Found Dead Outside His Home
Edward Muthee Kariuki, a 33-year-old advocate and proprietor of Edward Kariuki Law Firm along Kiambu Road, was found dead outside his residence in Athi River, Machakos County, on Sunday, July 5.
Police said a security guard discovered the unresponsive man before alerting authorities.
Officers from Athi River Police Station, detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) personnel processed the scene and launched investigations.
Detectives are now analysing Kariuki’s phone records in an effort to reconstruct his final movements and establish the motive behind the killing.
Investigators have not announced any arrests, and the motive remains unknown.
Keige’s Cause of Death Still Unknown
The march also honoured Esther Wairimu Keige, the Kenya Forest Service Legal Services Manager whose body was found in a coffee plantation in Area 4 near Karimenu in Juja, Kiambu County, on the night of July 6.
The discovery came nearly a month after the 54-year-old disappeared on June 10 after leaving her office along Kiambu Road.
A postmortem conducted by Government Pathologist Johansen Oduor failed to establish the cause of death because the body had significantly decomposed.
“There were no visible injuries,” Oduor said, adding that toxicology samples had been collected for further analysis.
Juja Sub-County Police Commander Isaac Kombo said the body was intact despite being in an advanced state of decomposition and was later identified by two family members.
Calls for Accountability
The deaths have sent shockwaves through Kenya’s legal community, prompting renewed calls for thorough investigations and stronger safeguards for advocates.
Lawyers participating in Friday’s march said attacks against members of the legal profession threaten not only individual advocates but also the administration of justice and the rule of law.
With investigations into both deaths still ongoing, the Law Society of Kenya is urging law enforcement agencies to expedite the cases, identify those responsible and ensure they are brought before the courts.
The society maintains that justice for the two advocates will be a critical test of the country’s commitment to protecting legal professionals and upholding the rule of law.