The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is facing mounting criticism from senior lawyers over the confiscation of advocate Judy Koech’s client files and work equipment during an ongoing investigation.
Senior counsels Danstan Omari, Ndegwa Njiru, and Isack appeared in court on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, challenging the DCI’s actions, which they described as unlawful and disruptive to the administration of justice.
The lawyers filed an application seeking the immediate release of documents and equipment seized from Koech, including government title deeds, personal documents, and tools essential to her work as both an advocate and a principal land registrar.
An inventory attached to the application shows that several title deeds remain in police custody.
As a result, property owners have been left without their documents, while Koech has reportedly been unable to meet statutory timelines set out in the Ministry of Lands’ service charter.
“The owners, some of them who might be here, have no title deeds. And she has no explanation to offer,” Omari told the court.
The legal team argued that the investigations had stalled, noting that earlier court-assisted inquiries into the matter were already closed.
They further maintained that Koech, as an officer of the court handling sensitive public records, should be accorded special protection.
Omari also questioned the DCI’s approach in the context of modern working arrangements.
“It seems the DCI does not know that people work from home. Next time they’ll arrest judicial officers who have files to write judgments from their home,” he said.
The lawyers raised concerns about a breach of client confidentiality, arguing that files unrelated to the investigation were seized during the operation.
Ndegwa Njiru added that a client’s vehicle confiscated during the raid has yet to be released, despite a court order directing its return.
They also questioned the seizure of sh 500,000 belonging to a client identified as Francis, arguing that the money had no clear link to the alleged forgery under investigation.
The court is expected to rule on whether the seized materials should be returned to Koech pending any future charges.
Despite being arrested several times in connection with the matter, Koech has never been formally arraigned in court.
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