Cliff Ombeta not licensed to practice law in Kenya – LSK lawyer

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) now says Cliff Ombeta is not licensed to practice law in the country.

The LSK, through their lawyer Stephen Ongaro, told the High Court in Nairobi on Thursday that Ombeta’s certificate of practice was withdrawn.

The allegation came up during the mention of Willie Kimani murder trial, in which Ombeta represents the accused.

Ongaro told justice Jessy Lesiit that Ombeta “does not have enough LSK points to practice law in Kenya” and, therefore, “his license wasn’t renewed”.

Ombeta’s lawyer, Doreen Kali, said his client has a valid license, whose status is published on the LSK website.

Kali says Ombeta is still on the LSK register as a lawyer, and that Ongaro’s allegations are “malicious and meant to embarrass Cliff”.

A search by K24 Digital on Thursday showed that Mr Ombeta's practising status is active for 2019.

Justice Lesiit directed the parties to appear in court on August 27 to address the Ombeta registration issue.

In July this year, Ombeta failed to appear in court for the mention of the murder trial where he represents three accused persons.

The accused police officers in the Willie Kimani case are Fredrick Leliman, Stephen Cheburet, Sylvia Wanjiku and Leonard Maina Mwangi. 

On July 13, the case was adjourned after the court was informed that Ombeta was unwell and could not attend court.

Ombeta had shown up in court while clad in sweat-pants to say he could not handle the case because he was in poor health.

The lawyer refused to disclose what he was ailing from.