{"id":793345,"date":"2026-02-11T08:02:10","date_gmt":"2026-02-11T05:02:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.capitalfm.co.ke\/news\/?p=793345"},"modified":"2026-02-11T08:03:55","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T05:03:55","slug":"lsk-presidential-race-sexual-harassment-row","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.capitalfm.co.ke\/news\/2026\/02\/lsk-presidential-race-sexual-harassment-row\/","title":{"rendered":"Havi accuses LSK presidential candidate of failing to act on sexual harassment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 11 \u2014 Former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Nelson Havi has criticised the Society\u2019s Vice Chair over alleged inaction in a sexual harassment case that has sparked fresh outrage within the legal fraternity.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Havi accused LSK Vice President and presidential candidate Mwaura Kabata of being aware of complaints against lawyer Patrick Wandare for nearly a year without taking decisive action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere is a problem when leaders feign helplessness just like the people they lead,\u201d Havi said in a comment on Wednesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe case of Patrick Wandare soliciting sex on the false pretence of offering employment to vulnerable female advocates is a matter that [was] reported to the LSK Council, not once, but time without number.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Havi questioned how young advocates could rally behind a candidate he claims failed to protect their interests in his current leadership role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLSK Vice President, Mwaura Kabata has been aware of the complaints for one year but incorporated PLO as his mouthpiece. Intriguingly, it is these same vulnerable youthful female advocates who [are being] beguiled to vote for him. Let us stop being stupid as youthful advocates,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His remarks came a day after Kabata announced the immediate termination of any association between his presidential campaign and Wandare, who is facing allegations of sexual harassment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kabata said Wandare would no longer participate in any campaign-related activities, clarifying that the lawyer\u2019s prior support, expressed in January 2026, was voluntary and that he had never been formally retained as a representative or agent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe grave allegations against Mr. Wandare are shocking, and such conduct is inconsistent with my personal values and the principles of my candidacy. I have zero tolerance for all perpetrators and enablers of sexual harassment,\u201d Kabata said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LSK response <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The controversy unfolds amid growing scrutiny of sexual harassment within the legal profession, particularly involving interns, pupils and young advocates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Monday, the LSK Council stated that it cannot directly intervene in sexual harassment complaints, citing the statutory independence of the Advocates Disciplinary Tribunal (DT), which is mandated to investigate and determine such matters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council urged victims to formally lodge complaints with both the Tribunal and law enforcement agencies to ensure accountability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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LSK says its hands tied amid uproar over rampant sexual harassment in law firms<\/a><\/blockquote>