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Former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Nelson Havi has raised concerns over absentee judges at the Eldoret Environment and Land Court. 

In a letter to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), he called out the judges for choosing to play sports instead of handling court cases.

According to a notice issued by the court, judges will be unavailable on Thursday, March 20, from 10 a.m. due to sports activities. 

This announcement angered Havi, who termed it as misconduct.

"How can judges abandon their duties to go and play games?" Havi questioned in his letter. 

"Advocates and litigants from Eldoret have complained to me about this. This is unacceptable."

Havi also noted that the Eldoret Environment and Land Court had not updated its cause list since December 2024. 

In contrast, the nearby Kericho station has kept its cause list updated. 

He wondered if the judges in Eldoret had so little work that they could afford to take a break for sports during working hours.

"Is there a possibility that the judges and magistrates in Eldoret are so idle that they have to play on a Thursday at 10 a.m.?" he asked.

The letter, addressed to Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Winfrida B. Mokaya, also copied Chief Justice Martha Koome. Havi urged them to take action and stop such behavior.

This issue comes amid growing concerns over absenteeism in Kenyan courts. 

Many lawyers have complained about cases being delayed because judges fail to appear, often without notice.

Besides this complaint, Havi has also been leading efforts to remove Chief Justice Koome and six other Supreme Court judges over corruption claims. 

However, the Judicial Service Commission has been unable to act due to court orders blocking any petitions against the judges.

On March 5, the High Court extended orders preventing any action against Koome and her team until March 28. 

Havi, along with other lawyers like Senior Counsel Abdullahi Ahmednassir, has continued to push for reforms in the judiciary.

"We cannot allow impunity to continue in our courts. Justice must be served," Havi emphasized.

His complaints have sparked debate among Kenyans, with some supporting his call for accountability while others argue that judges also need time for recreation. 

However, for many litigants waiting for justice, the idea of judges skipping court for sports remains unacceptable.