Senior Counsel Nelson Havi has weighed into the ongoing dispute between lawyers and the Judiciary, issuing a statement that revisits past attempts to hold judges accountable as the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) boycott continues.
The nationwide boycott, which began on July 22, has seen advocates stay away from court hearings in protest over alleged corruption, delays, and lack of accountability within the justice system.
Although courts remain open, the absence of lawyers has disrupted proceedings in several stations.
In his statement, Havi linked the current standoff to events dating back to late 2024, when Chief Justice Martha Koome urged lawyers to stop raising complaints publicly and instead file petitions before the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
“In November and December, 2024, C J Martha Koome pleaded that we cease highlighting concerns about Judges on X and Facebook, and instead, file petitions at the JSC,” Havi said.
He noted that the legal fraternity complied, filing multiple petitions in early 2025, including complaints against senior members of the Judiciary.
“In January, 2025 we filed sixty petitions against Judges, the C J included,” he stated.
Havi, however, claimed that the process was later undermined through court action, effectively halting investigations into some of the complaints.
“In February, 2025 the C J sued the JSC, Ahmednasir Abdullahi SC and I, and stopped investigations against herself. Her six colleagues followed suit,” he said.
The senior counsel further criticised how the petitions were handled by the JSC, alleging that most were dismissed without due process.
“In August, 2025 the JSC in one single sitting after sleeping on them for seven months, dismissed fifty petitions against Judges without a hearing,” Havi added.
He also took issue with recent remarks from judicial leadership downplaying concerns within the sector.
“Today, she is parading herself and other nimble footed characters after drinking coconut wine, crying, ‘there is no crisis in the justice sector.’ Bure kabisa!” he said.
Havi’s statement comes as LSK maintains pressure on the Judiciary to institute reforms, insisting the boycott is aimed at restoring integrity and public confidence in the courts.