Nelson Havi Opens Up on Being Held at Gunpoint by Police

LSK President Nelson Havi speaking at a past forum in 2019
LSK President Nelson Havi speaking at a past forum in 2019
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Law Society of Kenya President, Nelson Havi has opened up on an incident where he was held at gunpoint by a police officer while representing a client. 

Speaking with Kenyans.co.ke on Wednesday, August 19, Havi stated that he was confronted by the officer while accompanying Bomet Senator Christopher Langat to a Nairobi police station following the legislator’s arrest.

Langat was arrested alongside two other Senators, Cleophas Malala (Kakamega) and Ltumbesi Lelegwe (Samburu) ahead of the revenue sharing formula voting process on Monday, August 17.

"I was held at gunpoint by a police officer. He wanted me to drop off at Embakasi or to alight from the Senator's vehicle and board another one as they were travelling to Nairobi. 

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Bomet Senator Christopher Langat (left) consults lawyer Nelson Havi (centre) on Monday, August 17 after the legislator was arrested in Nairobi
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"I declined to disembark," Havi stated, adding that they ended up travelling all the way to Bomet where Langat was accused of administering an oath to 200 Kipsigis men on Wednesday, August 12.

Police alleged that the former Moi University lecturer had instructed the Kipsigis men to raid a neighbouring community. 

Langat, Malala and Lelegwe were released without charges. The three had been accused of fighting the government’s proposed revenue sharing formula. 

Havi added that he would not press charges against the policeman as the person who ought to be held liable for all the confrontations and unlawful arrests was Interior CS Fred Matiang'i.

Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot led plaudits for Havi for his quest for the rule of law.

Havi is a top layer class. Senator Langat informed me how at gunpoint you refused to disembark from the dreaded Subaru. History will be very kind to you. Kenya will win this war against impunity,” Cheruiyot tweeted. 

Senators formed a 12-member committee to create a revenue formula after they failed to agree for the ninth consecutive time. 

Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja will co-chair the committee together with his Bungoma counterpart Moses Wetangula.

Other Senators who form part of the committee are Senators Mutula Kilonzo Jnr (Makueni), Mahamud Mohamed (Mandera), Steward Madzayo (Kilifi), Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo Marakwet), Susan Kihika (Nakuru), Samson Cherargei (Nandi), Moses Kajwang (Homa Bay), Anwar Oleitiptip (Lamu), Ledama Ole Kina (Narok) and John Kinyua (Laikipia).

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Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala (in blue) resists arrest at his home in Kitengela, Nairobi, on August 17, 2020.
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