A man identified as Brian Mwenda, who claimed to be a lawyer in Kenya, has been arrested after winning 26 cases despite having no legal training.
The case has sparked outrage and raised questions about the issue of unqualified individuals impersonating professionals.
The ‘fake lawyer‘ who won 26 cases
Brian Mwenda, who practiced under the name Brian Mwenda Ntwiga, is accused of stealing the identity of a real lawyer.
He reportedly won all 26 cases he handled in various Kenyan courts, despite having no legal background. Local media reports indicate that he posed as a legitimate advocate, gaining widespread attention for his alleged legal expertise.
The true Brian Mwenda Ntwiga, a lawyer who had been admitted to the Bar in August 2022, realized something was wrong when he couldn’t access his legal account. He contacted the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) after noticing changes in his profile details.
The LSK confirmed that Mwenda Ntwiga had not applied for a practicing certificate, as he had been working at the Office of the Attorney General.
LSK’s action and public notification
The LSK issued a statement confirming that Brian Mwenda Ntwiga had never applied for a practicing certificate and was not listed as an advocate.
They also notified the public via social media. They warned that Brian Mwenda Njagi, the ‘fake lawyer,’ was not recognized as an advocate by the Society
We reached out to Advocate Brian Mwenda Ntwiga, who confirmed that he had not applied for a practicing certificate since his admission.
The reason was that he had been working at the Office of the Attorney General and did not require one
It was not until September 2023 that he attempted to log in to the system and activate his profile to apply for his Practising Certificate. At that point, he realized he could not access his LSK Portal.
While the case caused widespread outrage, some saw the man as impressive. Kenya’s Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) described him as a “brilliant young mind” who succeeded without traditional qualifications.
Supporters, including former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko, defended him, expressing their belief in his innocence.
Brian Mwenda’s response about the incident
In a video posted with Mike Sonko, the man expressed gratitude for the support he had received.
He promised to clear up the misunderstanding and provide his side of the story. “In the fullness of time, I will be able to provide my innocence,” he said.
Kenya’s Director of Public Prosecutions, Renson Mulele Ingonga, announced that Mwenda would likely face prosecution.
The Inspector General of the National Police Service was instructed to investigate the matter, as there has been an increasing number of unqualified individuals posing as lawyers in Kenya.
The arrest of Brian Mwenda highlights a growing concern in Kenya regarding unqualified individuals practicing law.
While some admire his resourcefulness, legal officials stress the importance of qualifications in ensuring justice. The case serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance in professional practices to prevent similar frauds.