BOB AMALEMBA
June 9, 2026| Former Law Society of Kenya President Nelson Havi ( pictured, centre)has urged the current LSK leadership to engage Chief Justice Martha Koome on improving the condition of courtrooms by replacing hard wooden benches with cushioned seats.
Havi said court users, including advocates and litigants, endure discomfort due to outdated furniture in many courts.
“President Charles Kanjama, SC, have a discussion with Chief Justice Martha Koome. Let her provide decent seats to litigants and advocates. Courtrooms have been neglected,” Havi said.
The lawyer, who recently spent two weeks at the Kakamega Law Courts representing Malava voter John Karakacha in an election petition challenging the victory of MP David Ndakwa over Seth Panyako, said the prolonged sitting on wooden benches left him with health complications.
“The pain we go through when we sit on these wooden benches. Two weeks of such an experience at Kakamega Law Courts landed me at Aga Khan Hospital. I will opt to stand today even if it means standing for ten hours. Surgery is not a good experience,” he said.
His remarks come amid concerns over funding constraints facing the Judiciary. Despite complaints about budget limitations, the institution received Sh27.8 billion in the 2025/26 financial year, up from Sh24.7 billion in the previous year.
At the same time, the government has undertaken an aggressive expansion of the bench. In May this year, President William Ruto swore in 37 new High Court and Environment and Land Court judges — the largest single intake of judges in Kenya’s history — bringing the number of recently appointed judges under the current administration to about 60.
Havi said improved infrastructure and comfort in courtrooms are essential to enhancing access to justice for Kenyans.