Former LSK president Nelson Havi/Handout
Former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Nelson Havi has urged swift and firm action against political leaders accused of inciting the public with unverified claims of election rigging ahead of the next presidential vote.
Havi called on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to summon and hold accountable those making such statements, warning that their remarks risk stoking unnecessary tension.
“The two MPs accused of making such statements are doing so purely for political purposes,” Havi said on Monday.
“The most important step now is for the king to publicly disown their remarks and clarify that they do not speak on his behalf.”
Though he did not name the individual, Havi’s reference to “the king” is believed to point to a senior political figure whose silence, he said, only fuels suspicions and mistrust in the electoral process.
“This is not a laughing matter,” he warned.
“We’ve seen these patterns before. Every presidential election in Kenya has faced legal challenges, always on the grounds of suspected vote theft.”
Havi backed recent concerns raised by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, saying it was the duty of constitutionally mandated institutions to act decisively in the face of inflammatory political rhetoric.
“The IEBC must summon these individuals. The DCI and ODPP must take action. This is a serious matter that demands accountability,” he said.
He also criticised senior officials—including the Prime Cabinet Secretary and the Speaker of the National Assembly—for publicly commenting on the allegations, arguing that their remarks undermine the neutrality expected of their offices.
“These individuals are supposed to remain neutral,” Havi noted.
“The Speaker of the National Assembly, in particular, has already faced a High Court ruling on impartiality and conflict of interest. He should refrain from commenting and allow the relevant institutions to carry out their mandate.”
Havi’s remarks come amid rising political temperatures and concerns that premature claims of election fraud could erode public confidence and threaten national stability