Fake Embu lawyer who conned client Ksh.229K jailed for two years

A court in Siakago, Embu County, has sentenced a woman to two years in prison for falsely posing as an advocate of the High Court of Kenya and defrauding a member of the public.

Jane Kiura was convicted after the prosecution proved that she impersonated a lawyer and obtained money by false pretences from a client seeking legal services.

According to prosecution counsel Fridah Makena, Kiura falsely represented herself as an advocate of the High Court of Kenya between November 19 and December 2, 2024, while operating in Siakago town in Mbeere North Sub-County.

The court heard that Kiura obtained Ksh.229,000 from John Ngari after falsely claiming she was working under I. Mwai, an advocate and commissioner for oaths. She had promised to assist Ngari in processing a title deed but failed to deliver the service.

Resident Magistrate J.N. Githiaga ruled that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, finding Kiura guilty of both impersonating an advocate and obtaining money by false pretences.

“Therefore, guided by the applicable law, the principles of sentencing, and the judiciary sentencing policy guidelines, 2023, I hereby sentence the accused person to pay a fine of Ksh.100,000; in default, to serve one year imprisonment for the offense of obtaining money by false pretences and, for the offense of impersonating an advocate of the High Court of Kenya, to serve two years imprisonment,” ruled Magistrate Githiaga.

The court also noted that Kiura had been operating an office as an advocate in Siakago town, located at Eva Plaza.

In his judgment, the magistrate acknowledged the role of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) in addressing cases of individuals masquerading as lawyers and ordered that the office be closed immediately.

The court directed the LSK Practice, Ethics and Standards Committee to shut down the office and confiscate stamps bearing the name of J.I. Mwai, advocate and commissioner for oaths, which were allegedly being used by the accused.