Havi urges crackdown on major corruption cases, says leadership failure fuels graft
By Ndiritu Wanjiru, April 28, 2026Former Law Society of Kenya President Nelson Havi has said that corruption in the country reflects poor leadership and weak governance systems, warning that the problem goes far beyond isolated incidents of bribery.
Speaking in an interview with a local TV station on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, Havi called on the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to prioritise the “bigger and more damaging corruption networks” in government agencies, rather than focusing on small-scale corruption and bribery, especially among the police service.
“Corruption epitomises the failure of good governance,” Havi said.
The outspoken lawyer has further said that focusing on small bribery cases creates an illusion of progress while big and more damaging corruption cases continue to flourish at senior levels of government.
He said that corruption cannot be addressed purely from a legal perspective, but as a leadership crisis that affects trust and institutions that should provide justice and accountability.
Havi also highlighted concerns in the justice sector, claiming there are cases where justice can be bought with large amounts of money.
Havi has further noted that the EACC should not be just looking at bribery in the police, who are no match to judges, alleged to be asking for tens of millions in order to sell justice to the highest bidder.
“The EACC should stop focusing solely on bribery within the police, who are incomparable to judges alleged to demand tens of millions to auction justice to the highest bidder,” he added.
Corruption in Judiciary
Havi’s statement contributes to the increasing call to the judiciary to end corruption. Among top government officials who have pointed out the issue of corruption in the judiciary is the head of state, William Ruto.
While speaking on Wednesday, August 27, 2027, during the Katiba Day celebration at KICC, Ruto said the Judiciary must confront allegations of bribery and corruption, including what Kenyans have come to describe in street slang as “jury pesa”. He noted that while the discussions are often uncomfortable, they cannot be swept aside.
Ruto delivered a hard-hitting message to the judiciary, warning that growing concerns over corruption within the institution threaten to erode public trust and undermine the Constitution.
“The judiciary must confront corruption within its own ranks. I am aware of the vigorous and often unsettling conversation around terms like ‘jury pesa’. As painful as this may be, they cannot be ignored,” the president said.