The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has strongly condemned a surge in allegations of sexual harassment within the legal profession, describing the conduct as an abuse of power that amounts to both professional misconduct and criminal behaviour.
In a statement issued on February 9, 2026, the Society said the complaints, widely shared on social media, largely involve associates, interns and pupils in law firms and other organisations, including NGOs.
“The Law Society of Kenya has taken note of the recent surge concerning complaints of alleged incidents of sexual harassment involving members of the legal profession,” the statement said, noting a “worrying trend of abuse of power by senior colleagues against junior, vulnerable members of the profession.”
LSK said it “unequivocally condemns such conduct,” stressing that proven cases offend ethical standards and attract both disciplinary and criminal sanctions.
LSK reminded members that its Sexual Harassment and Anti-Bullying Policy (SHABP), adopted in 2019, provides a comprehensive framework for prevention, reporting and redress.
The policy applies “without exceptions to all categories of staff,” including pupils, interns and students, and covers misconduct occurring both within and outside office environments, including during travel, social events and electronic communication.
According to the Society, complaints of sexual harassment can be lodged with the Advocates Complaints Commission (ACC) or the Advocates Disciplinary Tribunal (DT), whose independence it emphasized.
“Neither complaints lodged directly to the DT nor those reported to the ACC require or undergo the review, ratification, intervention or any other input of the council of the Law Society of Kenya,” the statement said.
LSK disclosed that the DT recently delivered a decision on November 27, 2025, on a complaint against one advocate who had been adversely mentioned in allegations involving 22 colleagues.
While the Gender Committee supported the complaint, only one complainant proceeded. The DT found it lacked jurisdiction, ruling that sexual harassment is a criminal offence that should be prosecuted through criminal justice channels.
While terming the decision “regrettable,” LSK said it exposed gaps in the current legal framework and underscored the need for law reform.
The Society called for entrenching the SHABP into law through Parliament and reviewing Section 60 of the Advocates Act to clearly define “disgraceful or dishonourable conduct” and the scope of the DT’s mandate.
LSK stressed that sexual harassment is a criminal offence under the Sexual Offences Act and urged victims to also report cases to the police.
“It is in the interests of justice and to deter reoccurrence that every person identified as a perpetrator be arrested, prosecuted and dealt the just punishment recognised in law,” the statement said.
The Society reaffirmed its commitment, through its Gender Committee, to support victims pursuing disciplinary or criminal action, adding that ongoing sensitisation efforts, including webinars and outreach programmes, are aimed at strengthening accountability and creating safe, respectful professional spaces within the legal fraternity.
