Other associations that condemned the killing of Kimani includeLaw Society of Kenya (LSK), the East Africa Law Society and the African Bar Association ( AFBA). Kimani, his client Mr. Josphat Mwendwa and their driver Mr. Joseph Muiruri were abducted last month after filing a complaint against the police. Their bodies were found last week. Though four police officers have been arrested in connection with their murder, they have not commented on the incident. In a condolence message issued during the weekend, PALU said it was disturbed that the abductions and killings of the deceased persons took place immediately after a hearing in a judicial process in which the young advocate was defending the rights of a lay, indigent victim of Police misconduct. “We salute the young fallen advocate for his courage and steadfastness in providing legal aid and assistance to a weak and helpless person, and standing up against the might of the Police officers. We call upon other advocates, young and old, male and female to emulate such valour and fidelity to the ethics and ideals of our noble legal profession,’’ the body. The union identified with the views of LSK and EALS, on the international law regulating the legal profession as well as international human rights law which expressly provides for the right of a client to legal representation; the right of a lawyer to provide that legal representation; and the further the right of a lawyer not to be identified with his or her client’s case. It also noted that these laws specify that a lawyer shall be enabled and protected by law to perform his or her professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference. The very integrity of our legal and judicial systems, and of the just rule of law, depends on the strict observance of these rights and obligations. PALU condoled the families of the victims and expressed its solidarity with the leadership and members of LSK and EALS, the human rights community and the people of Kenya endorsed the plan of action formulated by LSK and the human rights community of Kenya to bring the perpetrators to book. In a statement signed by its President, Mr. Hannibal Uwaifo, the African Bar Association ( AFBA) also condemned the assassinations. Noting that the incident happened in the line of duty, AFBA said it exposed the intolerance in our policy and the hazards lawyers are exposed to in the performance of their legitimate duties as recognised by the Constitution and various extant laws world wide. “Arising from the quarterly meeting of the governing council of the association, which held in Beua, Cameroon from July 1 to 3, this year in which the report of this cowardly acts was received, extensively discussed and resolution condemning same was unanimously carried, the African bar Association joins the president and members of the Law society of Kenya, the family and friends of our fallen Colleague and the families of those murdered with him in demanding for answers and justice,’’ it said.]]>