Nelson Havi questioned over assault allegations, released from police custody

Law Society of Kenya President Nelson Havi. [David Njaaga, Standard]

Law Society of Kenya (LSK) president Nelson Havi has been released from police custody after recording a statement with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) over assault allegations by his colleague.

Havi, picked up by detectives from his Westlands offices, denied claims of assaulting embattled law society Chief Executive Mercy Wambua.

Havi recorded his statement with the DCI  officers attached to the Serious Crimes Unit.

On Monday, July 12, Wambua filed a complaint at the Muthangari Police Station accusing Havi of assaulting her while at the LSK offices in Lavington, Nairobi.

Mercy Wambua Chief Executive Officer Law Society of Kenya. [Wilberforce Okwiri, Standard]

Wambua said that Havi slammed a laptop screen on her finger during an 8am council meeting at the LSK’s headquarters on Gitanga Road, Nairobi.

Wambua is reported to have sought treatment at the Aga Khan Hospital.

“I’m being accused of breaking Ms Wambua’s legs and hands. I have recorded a statement in which I said what transpired before, during and after the said confrontation that I had with Ms Wambua," Havi said.  

"I’m now waiting to be advised on what next – whether I’ll be taken to court, or told that the matter has been closed.” 

Havi, who is said to have been picked up by the police from his offices in Westlands, denied claims of assaulting embattled law society chief executive Mercy Wambua. [Courtesy]

On June 26, LSK members in a special meeting voted to send CEO Mercy Wambua on compulsory leave.

One hundred and eighteen members voted in favour of the motion, while sixteen opposed it.

Thirty-three of the one hundred and eighteen voted physically while eighty-five raised their hands in a virtual conference.

All the sixteen, who voted against Wambua’s suspension, did so virtually.

The members also voted to have the CEO’s position filled within forty-five days from June 26 after Wambua gets a fair hearing.

One hundred and thirty-three of the members voted in favour of filling the position within forty-five days.

None of the members opposed the motion.

In October last year, Wambua was reinstated to her position by council members after Havi suspended her in mid-September over alleged gross misconduct and incompetence.

Wambua, who was facing seventeen charges of gross misconduct and incompetence, said there were no sharp divisions within the LSK but only differences of opinion based on the interpretation of the law.