The Secretary General of the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Francis Atwoli has asked the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) to withdraw charges against suspected fake lawyer Brian Mwenda.
In a statement on Wednesday, January 17, Atwoli stated that charges against Mwenda should be dropped owing to the recognition and approval of the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) framework by the government.
RPL, once approved, will enable people with skills in various fields practice without necessarily presenting academic certifications.
Consequently, Atwoli asked the relevant bodies to take Mwenda through the various processes as contained in the guidelines on RPL.
“COTU (K), wishes to thank the President of the Republic of Kenya William Ruto and his entire cabinet for the recent approval of the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) framework.
“In this regard, COTU (K) calls upon the Law Society of Kenya, in supporting the move by the Government of Kenya to promote RPL, to beseech the courts to drop all charges against Brian Njagi,” the statement read in part.
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Atwoli Explains Why RPL Is Beneficial for Kenyan Workers
The COTU SG also lauded President William Ruto and the cabinet for the move, noting that it will ensure youths across the country acquire a formal qualification that matches their knowledge and skills.
According to him, the move will help to improve employability, mobility, lifelong learning, social inclusion and self-esteem.
“It’s worth noting that many Kenyan youth, despite their outstanding abilities acquired through practical experience, self-study, and non-formal educational avenues, often find themselves excluded from opportunities in the formal sector because the system typically prioritizes qualifications from traditional learning pathways,” stated the SG.
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“RPL is a proven mechanism for recognizing the diverse learning pathways of our citizens and for harnessing the untapped talents that can drive our nation forward in accordance with the Bottom-Up Transformation Agenda (BETA).”
Brian Mwenda Case
Days after the Law Society of Kenya – LSK unmasked Brian Mwenda for allegedly masquerading as an advocate of the High Court of Kenya, Atwoli called for his recognition as an Advocate in Kenya.
Further, Atwoli stated that it was important to ensure inclusivity of professions in Kenya adding that Mwenda deserved a fair and transparent examination to test his knowledge.
“We strongly advocate for a fair and transparent examination to test his knowledge, skills, and competencies in the field of law,” he noted.
