Nelson Havi exits LSK as branch chairs take over council

The Law Society of Kenya’s (LSK) secretariat has  announced the exit of Mr Nelson Havi as its president and his replacement by Mt Kenya branch chairperson Linda Kiome.

The announcement followed a consultative meeting held by the LSK Branch Chairs Caucus, which settled on Ms Kiome as the chairperson and Mr Mathew Nyabena as vice-chairperson.

It was further announced that branch chairpersons had taken over the responsibilities of the LSK council, in line with a High Court judgment issued last month.

On December 20 last year, High Court judge Antony Mrima directed Mr Havi to convene an Annual General Meeting with the LSK members within 21 days, failing which the LSK Branch Chairs Caucus would take over the affairs of the society.

The 21-day notice lapsed on January 10 and the LSK branch chairs reportedly took over on January 11. The Branch Chairs Caucus said the new team would steer the affairs of the LSK Council up to March 24 this year, when the term of the ousted team was scheduled to end.

Branch Chairs Caucus

“Effectively, Ms Linda Kiome is the spokesperson of the LSK and shall exercise the powers of the LSK president for the remainder of the term of the council,” the announcement indicated.

“By default, the court had requested that in the event that the council does not take up its mandate for purposes of administering this institution, then the Branch Chairs Caucus would have the mandate, as directed by the court, to take this society to the next level. We cannot stay in one place forever. We cannot have wrangles forever,” Ms Kiome said.

The LSK branch chairpersons include Mr Justus Mutia (South Eastern), Mr Eric Theuri (Nairobi), Ms Sussy Rautto (West Kenya), Mr Henry Kenei (North Rift), Mr John Ochang’ (Rift Valley) and Mr Wilkins Ochoki (South West).

The interim team will be tasked with ensuring the society’s elections are conducted before the expiry of its term. It is also expected to convene a special general meeting of the LSK, which has for the past one year been rocked by upheavals arising from differences between Mr Havi and the society’s CEO Mary Wambua.

Internet connection bills

The relations between the council and the secretariat had soured so much that at some point in June last year, the LSK headquarters’ internet connection bills could not be paid.

A month later, Ms Wambua filed a case in court accusing Mr Havi of assaulting her during a meeting at the LSK headquarters. Mr Havi, however, rushed to court to challenge the allegations.

The wrangles persisted, with some council members announcing they had sacked Ms Wambua as the CEO. This was, however, short-lived as she was reinstated by other council members the following day.

The caucus said it would announce the dates and details of the next LSK elections and other secretariat affairs after concluding its consultations.

Ms Wambua, who was present during the press briefing, said she was happy that the change of guard meant tumultuous times at LSK were finally ending.

Mr Havi laughed off the developments when contacted by the Nation, but declined to comment on the matter.

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