Busia lawyers suspend services to demand transfer of chief magistrate

Chief Magistrate Edna Nyaloti. [Courtesy]

Showdown looms after lawyers suspended legal services to demand the transfer of Busia Chief Magistrate Edna Nyaloti within 21 days, after she accused them of colluding with cartels to endanger her life.

A week ago, Nyaloti said her life is in danger and accused some of the lawyers of working with cartels to intimidate her when handling sensitive cases touching on their clients.

On August 14, 2025, advocates under the umbrella of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Busia Branch held a meeting at Rastopark Hotel over the alleged threats and claims made by the Chief Magistrate. They resolved to suspend all legal services, including pro bono services.

In a memo dated August 15, 2025, signed by Busia LSK Chapter Chairperson Nabulindo Dolan, the advocates resolved not to appear before the magistrate until she is transferred.

"Advocates shall, however, continue to offer their services in all other courts as usual, save for Court No. 1 (one) until she is transferred."

The advocates copied the letter to the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary, the Law Society of Kenya president and the West Kenya Law Society branch chairperson.

Last week, Nyalot claimed that boda boda riders showed up at her gate at night to demand that she recuse herself from a defilement case.

“It was at night when I heard my dogs barking, and when I tried to find out what was happening, I found a group of men on motorbikes. When they saw me peeping through the window, they warned me to stay out of certain matters like the defilement case," said Nyalot.

She has since written to the Chief Justice Martha Koome and the Inspector General of Police, asking for an investigation into the threats and provide protection.

However, Nyaloti claimed that cartels are working with some lawyers who defraud people seeking justice in the name of taking bribes to magistrates and Judges to rule in their favor.

The Chief Magistrate, who moved from Nakuru two years ago, has vowed not to stop dispensing justice, especially on sensitive cases such as defilement, land and robbery with violence.

Nyaloti warned that shadowy brokers and impostors have infiltrated the justice system.