Havi suspends plans to remove CJ Koome and Supreme Court Judges

Former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Nelson Havi, who has been leading efforts to remove Chief Justice Martha Koome and other Supreme Court judges, has announced a temporary pause in his pursuit of the matter.

In a social media post on Wednesday, April 2, Havi cited pending court orders barring the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) from reviewing any petitions against the seven judges as the reason for his decision.

"We have suspended discussion on 7 embattled Supreme Court Judges until after the decisions by Bahati Mwamuye J on 3-4-2025, Charles Kariuki J on 11-4-2025, and Lawrence Mugambi J on 25-4-2025. In the meantime, we continue enforcing the law on High Court Judges and Magistrates," posted Havi.

Over the recent weeks, the former LSK chief escalated his fight against alleged misconduct in the Supreme Court by filing a petition on January 13, seeking the removal of all seven justices.

Initially targeting Chief Justice Martha Koome, he later expanded his focus to the entire bench after failing to secure cooperation from the other six justices to provide evidence supporting his claims.

“I swear this affidavit in support of the complaint against Justices Martha Karambu Koome, Philomena Mbete Mwilu, Mohammed Khadar Ibrahim, (Dr) Smokin C. Wanjala, Njoki Ndung’u, Isaac Lenaola, and William Ouko, and I request that the Judicial Service Commission recommend to the President of the Republic of Kenya the formation of a tribunal to remove them from office,” his affidavit stated.

Senior Counsel Ahmednassir Abdullahi soon reinforced Havi’s push by filing a similar petition.

However, their efforts were temporarily halted by consecutive conservatory orders issued by three High Court judges.

Justices Koome, Mwilu, and Ndung’u filed a lawsuit against the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), asserting that the Commission lacked the authority to review the decisions or scrutinize the judges of the Supreme Court of Kenya.

In March 2025, a mention of five court cases filed by the apex court Judges ended up in drama, with lawyers Nelson Havi and Ahmednasir Abdullahi engaging the judge in a shouting match over his orders.

Justice Lawrence Mugambi extended his orders, barring the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) from entertaining or determining petitions of the judges filed by Havi, Ahmednasir associates, and former Rarieda Member of Parliament Raphael Tuju, his children, and company, Dari Limited.