'Troublemaker' Havi kicked out of court for appearing in olive-green overalls

Law Society of Kenya President Nelson Havi during an interview with Standard at his private office in Parklands, Nairobi, on Tuesday, May 18, 2021. [File, Standard]

Senior lawyer Nelson Havi today caused a spectacle in court after appearing in an Olive Green Overall, a dare he made true on his X account during the hearing on whether Parliament ought to be dissolved for not enacting two thirds gender rule.

The move saw Senior lawyer Ochieng Oduol ask the court to kick Havi out until he properly dresses.

Havi, however, in his sentiments, insisted there is no law requiring him to be in a tie or suit.

The lawyer had on Wednesday twitted, “On Friday I will appear in Court from the Farm in my Olive-Green Overalls. Let it go. Kaende kaende.”

The Five Judge Bench, headed by Justice Jairus Ngaah, in its decision, kicked out Havi because he must appear dressed decently.

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The judge said they didn't have to adjourn the hearing to rule on the dressing code.

And Havi, in his response on X, said a time has come for lawyers to challenge the purported dress code.

“It is time we challenged the purported dress code claimed to have been enacted by LSK and Practice Directions made by the Judiciary on the same,” he wrote.

According to him, he has appeared before male Judges with bare-chested shirts without ties and some with Kanzus and Kofias, and female Judges with coloured tops which are far from white or blue English blouses.

“Today, I tested the enforceability of these dogmas with my Olive Fatigues and was kicked out of Court. A formal challenge will now be mounted,” he said.