When Kenya’s eloquent lawyer Nelson Havi was presented as one of Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu’s defense team in court, many Kenyans couldn’t believe that a lawyer of his caliber who was highly respected could ‘stoop that low’ to defend graft.
Nelson Havi, who usually features in a local Television show to discuss legal matters in the country has always been regarded by most Kenyans as a lawyer of high integrity but his show on Tuesday night left many Kenyans wondering and poking holes in his arguments after vigorously defending what many Kenyans termed as ‘The Corrupt’ in the society.
In his arguments at Citizen Television News Night Show, Havi had stated that the decision by the Magistrate to ban Waititu from accessing his office did not actually mean that the governor could not carry out his functions at as the head of the county.
Nelson Havi: The decision by the Magistrate does not stop Waititu from carrying out his functions as a governor but has stopped him from accessing his office #NewsNight@HusseinMohamedg pic.twitter.com/2wSj4zaLSl
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) July 30, 2019
Havi went ahead to accuse the court terming its rulings on the governor as a facilitated coup which was aimed at pulling his client out of the office and indirectly endorsing the Deputy Governor Nyoro as the next Kiambu governor.
Nelson Havi: I feel that this is a court facilitated coup. If anything, it was not even 5 hours later before DG Nyoro assumed power. We can see the pandemonium that is likely to ensue #NewsNight@HusseinMohamedg pic.twitter.com/pyiaF1Pde0
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) July 30, 2019
His statements, however, caused some online uproar with a larger section of Kenyans accusing the ‘Learned’ lawyer of sabotaging the fight against corruption in the country.
According to many, Havi was stopping too low down to the level of his client which according to them, was motivated by the fact that Havi had been given a portion of the loot from Kiambu county. Here are some of the reactions;
@Nelson Havi has failed in his duty as a protector of the high court's integrity. Even criminals must be represented, but insulting the high court's integrity as it rules against criminals is a taint to your legacy. Take the pay but gracefully be an advocate of the high Court.
— Dr C Otieno (@DrCOtieno1) July 30, 2019
Roberto Bogaza Have never seen magistrates,judges being interviewed by these media to shed more light on some of their landmark rulings….the media focuses on advocates , lawyers and state counsel’s who normally give different interpretations which sometimes are contradictory….its better to get answers from the sources
Christopher Oluoch So how will he carry out his functions as Governor if he cannot access the Governor’s office?
You must be feeding from proceeds of corruption in the name presenting a suspected looter!
— BIGVOICES (@BIG_Voices) July 30, 2019
@NelsonHavi on this you’ve listened to your pocket not your heart and soul of the Constitution. We move in different ways.
Selling your soul for 30 pieces of silver . As lawyers we also have choices on clients. We don’t just represent any client that walks through the door.
— Ann Kariuki (@awkariuki) July 31, 2019
Obwoge Juniour Can someone lend this dude some little brain! How did these guys end up being lawyers????
Cyrus Langat Lawyers are the beneficiaries of these corruption money through representation of the corrupt & part of those cash bails. Tunawajua nyinyi, no wonder u trying hard to confuse Kenyans by interpreting the law to suit u & your corrupt clients.nkt, bure kabisa!!
@NelsonHavi Ship of corruption is sinking and beneficiaries are panicking no wonder they are fighting "Mumbi Rule" as well as DPP & DCI. Stealing of public resources must be stopped at all cost.
— Peter N (@pitaz7) July 30, 2019
The're certain lawyers, after pretending to be human rights defenders n anti-corruption crusaders kiasi didn't work for them, are now openly corruption "ambulance" chasers
— Martin Ndirangu (@NdiranguMwaura) July 30, 2019
No. Waititu should not access his office. That's impunity. The ruling of Judge Grace Ngugi is a cornerstone of killing corruption. All Governors who are charged in Courts must step aside.
— Tomicky Randu (@TomickyRandu2) July 30, 2019
Others were however in agreement with Havi’s Statements saying that the state was using the courts to kick out governor Waititu from office.
Anyone going against First family plans have to be crushed..Baba Yao was the first victim.This is one evil move to silence all the opponents of handshake and make them tow the line..We are now waiting for Nyayo torture chambers.
— George Kayman (@KaymanGeorge) July 30, 2019
Hayo yote tisa, la kumi liko kwenye gazeti la @StandardKenya. (FYI, I don't know if that is swahili sanifu😅). pic.twitter.com/BPXSQ9jynt
— Hillary Orinde🇰🇪 (@OrindeHillary) July 30, 2019