Josephine Mong’are has recently been at the centre of public attention following fresh allegations raised by lawyer Nelson Havi regarding suspected corruption within the judiciary.
Havi, who previously served as President of the Law Society of Kenya, took to his Facebook page to make a direct appeal to the public.
In his post, he asked, “Have you been a victim of JuriPESA under Lady Justice Josephine Mongare? Tell us your experience. We will highlight it.” The term “JuriPESA,” coined by Havi, combines “judiciary” and the Swahili word “pesa,” meaning money, to describe alleged bribery or financial influence within court processes.
The lawyer has been running a sustained online campaign where he accuses Justice Mong’are, who serves in the Commercial and Tax Division of the High Court, of misconduct and incompetence. His claims touch on several cases and individuals, though none of the allegations have been proven in a court of law.
Among the claims made, Havi alleges that a former judge, Joseph Mutava, was sent to seek a Ksh 10 million bribe from Raphael Tuju in connection with a property dispute.
According to Havi, Mutava is said to have indicated that the money was intended to influence the outcome of the case. These claims have not been confirmed through any formal judicial findings.
Courtesy File/Nelson Havi/Facebook.
In another matter linked to business interests around Gikomba and the Pumwani Riyadha Mosque Committee, Havi claims that an agent collected Ksh 5 million allegedly on behalf of the judge.
He further alleges that when the full amount was not delivered, the court issued unfavourable rulings against his clients, including jail terms, despite what he says were directions from the Court of Appeal. These claims also remain unverified in official proceedings.
Havi has also questioned the role of the Judicial Service Commission, saying it has not acted on complaints he previously filed. In addition, he has called for a boycott of Justice Mong’are’s court as part of his protest against what he describes as a lack of accountability.
The matter is further complicated by related public statements from Tuju, who has also spoken about alleged bribe demands by individuals said to be linked to the judge in his own property case.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has been involved in investigations into suspected bribery, including arrests of certain individuals.
In March 2026, Justice Mong’are moved to court and obtained conservatory orders stopping the EACC from summoning, arresting, or publicly naming her in connection with the allegations. She argued that such actions could interfere with judicial independence and her ability to carry out her duties.
These developments highlight ongoing concerns in Kenya about transparency and accountability within the judiciary.
