Eldoret, Kenya – Former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Nelson Havi has taken up the case of 22-year-old Lameck Mang’are, who is accused of stealing Ksh 5 million believed to be proceeds of graft from a High Court judge. Lameck’s father, Joseph Mang’are, reached out to Havi for assistance, alleging police brutality and violations of his son’s rights during the investigation.
The case unfolded last week when the judge moved houses within Sisibo Estate, Eldoret, and enlisted Lameck, a well-known daytime security guard at the premises, to assist with the relocation. Days later, police officers raided the Mang’are family home in Illula Estate, accusing Lameck of stealing Ksh 5 million in cash during the moving exercise.
A search of the house allegedly uncovered Ksh 1.4 million in cash, which the young man admitted to taking, stating he had used Ksh 100,000 to buy a mobile phone. However, the police claim the stolen amount was Ksh 5 million, leading to accusations that Lameck took an additional Ksh 3.5 million.
Joseph Mang’are, the suspect’s father, expressed concerns over the manner in which his son has been treated since his arrest. “Six armed officers stormed our home, handcuffed my son, and took him to Kapsoya Police Station. He has since been rotated between police stations, beaten, and denied access to us or legal counsel. Yesterday, they brought him back home, shaken and tortured, to search for a car they claim he bought with the stolen money,” Mang’are said.
The family alleges that Lameck has been subjected to physical and psychological torture in custody as police attempt to extract information. Joseph also questioned the source of the Ksh 5 million kept in cash at the judge’s house, stating, “Why was such a large amount of money being stored at home? We believe this money could be proceeds of corruption, and the entire matter requires a thorough and independent investigation.”
Through his lawyer, Advocate Andrew Nyachiro, the judge has threatened to escalate the matter to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) if the full Ksh 5 million is not returned. Police have already sought a 10-day extension to conclude their investigations, prolonging Lameck’s detention.
In a plea to IPOA, the former Lsk President Nelson Havi, has raised serious concerns about the case, particularly the apparent use of excessive force and the lack of transparency in the investigation. “The treatment of Lameck Mang’are is unlawful and unacceptable. He is entitled to a fair process, and any evidence must be gathered legally. Additionally, there are glaring questions about the source of the Ksh 5 million allegedly stolen, and this must be investigated as well,” Havi said.
The case has sparked widespread outrage, with activists and local residents criticizing the heavy-handedness of the police and the lack of accountability surrounding the alleged funds. Many are calling for a probe into the judge’s conduct, particularly the origins of the money, which is now suspected to be proceeds of corruption.
As the investigation continues, the public is watching closely to see how the justice system handles the matter. Nelson Havi and the Mang’are family are demanding not only justice for Lameck but also accountability for the alleged misuse of public funds that the Ksh 5 million may represent.
