Court told that signatures in petition to transfer Chief Magistrate Nyaloti were forged

This comes after a resolution passed by Busia advocates on August 14, 2025, where they agreed not to take up or proceed with any matter before Court No. 1, presided over by Nyaloti, until she is transferred.

Six members of the LSK Busia chapter have however said that they were not part of those who signed the transfer call, arguing that their signatures were forged.

According to their affidavits, the six, led by Busia chapter leader, said that they were not involved in the formulation

"I swear this affidavit to confirm that I never appended my signature in support of the said petition and hereby disown the attached signature as it is not mine," read one of the affidavits.

"I thus disown the said petition as I did not take part in its formulation and neither did I append my signature in support of the same."

In a notice issued on August 15 2025, the LSK Busia Chapter stated: “Effective Monday 18th August 2025, no advocate shall take up, handle or proceed with any matter before Edna Nyaloti, Chief Magistrate, Court No. 1 until she is transferred.”

The lawyers cited security concerns raised by the magistrate as justification for their boycott. Still, civil society groups dismissed the move as an attempt to frustrate a judicial officer committed to integrity.

Nyaloti had raised an alarm over the infiltration of brokers in the Busia courts, warning that the integrity of justice is at risk.

In a letter addressed to the Chair of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Busia Branch, Nyaloti cites cases of individuals allegedly commercialising court processes, including surety and case withdrawals.

“One Michael Noah Wandera, who is suspected to be working with a law firm, was arrested for soliciting and receiving Ksh.10,000… with a promise that he would facilitate the withdrawal of a case before Court No. 5,” she wrote.