Lady Justice Josephine Mong’are has come under fresh public attention after a strong social media post by senior lawyer Nelson Havi, who openly criticized her conduct and called for action against her. In his message, Havi said he had intended to delay speaking out on what he described as corruption and incompetence within the judiciary, but felt that this particular case could not wait. He went further to urge advocates in Machakos to remove the judge from office, using forceful language that has since sparked widespread debate.
Havi’s remarks quickly drew reactions because of their direct and confrontational tone. It is not common for a senior lawyer to publicly call for such action against a sitting judge.
His statement appeared to reflect growing frustration among some members of the legal profession who feel that complaints about judicial conduct are not addressed quickly or effectively.
Havi also brought attention to the judge’s connection to the region, suggesting that even in her home area, her conduct should not be tolerated if the allegations are true.
Lady Justice Josephine Mong’are, whose full name is Josephine Wayua Wambua Mongare, was appointed to the High Court in 2022. She has served in different stations including Eldoret and the Commercial and Tax Division in Nairobi. Before joining the bench, she worked with the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission and held leadership roles such as chairing the Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya. Her career background has often been cited by supporters who argue that she has a strong record in public service.
The controversy surrounding her is not entirely new. In recent months, Havi has raised similar concerns and shared claims from individuals who allege they were treated unfairly in cases handled by her court. Some of these claims are linked to former judge Joseph Mutava, who has been mentioned in connection with alleged attempts to solicit money from parties involved in legal disputes.
One of the cases that has been widely discussed involves Raphael Tuju, where reports suggested that a large sum of money was requested to influence the outcome. Havi has claimed that Mutava admitted to collecting money on behalf of Justice Mong’are, though these allegations have not been proven in court.
Following these claims, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission sought to investigate the matter. However, Justice Mong’are obtained court orders that temporarily stopped the commission from questioning her or taking further steps.
She argued that the process raised concerns about fairness and the independence of the judiciary. The case remains ongoing, with further court mentions expected as the legal process continues.
The situation highlights deeper concerns about public trust in the judiciary. Many Kenyans continue to express frustration over delays, perceived bias, and reports of corruption in the courts.
When such concerns are raised by a prominent lawyer, they tend to carry more weight and attract wider attention.
