Lawyers Tear Gassed During Protest Against Land Registrar Ayienda In Kisii County
The Mt Kenya Times 
Lawyers holding peaceful demonstration against land registrar Ayienda. Photo/Elizabeth Angira
By Elizabeth Angira
Several lawyers from Kisii County were tear-gassed by security officers as they marched towards the Kisii land office to protest against Land Registrar Charles Ayienda.
The lawyers, affiliated with the South West Branch Law Society of Kenya (LSK), clashed with the officers near the Kisii police station.
They regrouped after initially scattering for safety, only to be barred by armed officers when they attempted to storm the Registrar’s office.
It’s out constitutional right to demonstrate, said the lawyers.
Led by Polycarp Maroko, the Secretary General of the South West Branch LSK, the lawyers chanted “Ayienda must go” and accused him of implementing policies that hindered their work.
Last week, they submitted a petition to Ayienda highlighting their grievances, but he has yet to respond.
The lawyers expressed their determination to continue protesting until Ayienda is transferred.
Maroko stated that the Registrar had not addressed the issues raised in the petition.
He criticized the tough conditions imposed by Ayienda, which required the lawyers to produce court orders and original gazette notices for succession to obtain certified copies of documents.
Maroko found this unacceptable and unprofessional, insisting that the Registrar should be more accessible and attentive to lawyers’ concerns.
George Morara, Chairman for young lawyers, affirmed that they would not be intimidated and vowed to continue the protests until the Registrar was transferred.
Morara emphasized that their demonstrations were peaceful and disavowed any involvement in violence or property destruction.
In response to the accusations, Ayienda, accompanied by Deputy County Commissioner Wilberforce Kilonzo, stated that 80 percent of the land documents presented to his office were forged, which prompted the lawyers’ protests.
Ayienda highlighted his objective to reform the registry and improve service delivery, assuring that significant changes would be implemented.
The lawyers have pledged to hold peaceful demonstrations every day next week until their grievances are addressed.
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