Former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Nelson Havi on Monday, December 2, announced that he will vie for the Presidency in the upcoming 2027 General Election.
Speaking during a morning show on Citizen TV, the lawyer revealed that he would be going for the top seat because its current holder, President William Ruto, did not have a serious competitor to challenge him for the seat.
According to the former LSK President, the decision to make his stab at the top job has also been informed by veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga’s decision to go for the African Union Chairperson (AUC) seat.
”I will be running for President of the Republic of Kenya in 2027 because it is now quite evident that there ought to be an alternative to Dr. William Ruto,” Havi announced.
Nelson Havi, the former Law Society of Kenya President speaking during a past event in Nairobi.
Nelson Havi
”My cousin Baba (Raila Odinga) is quite determined that he remains at the continental level instead of coming here. If Baba doesn’t want to do it, some of us will do it,” he added.
According to Havi, the current crop of leaders who have so far indicated that they would be vying for the top seat did not show serious opposition to Ruto and, therefore, he was contented that he would be Kenya’s top choice.
This will, however, not be the first time that the lawyer will be attempting elective politics having had a political run when he vied for the Westlands Member of Parliament seat in Nairobi.
However, Havi lost the seat on a United Democratic Alliance ticket after being trounced by the Orange Democratic Movement’s (ODM) competitor Tim Wanyonyi.
Havi, however, did not disclose which party he would be using to run for the Presidency nor did he indicate that he would be vying as an independent candidate.
The vocal lawyer is currently the chairperson of the Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA) where he was appointed by Ruto. The appointment was largely viewed as a reward for his political loyalty to the appointing authority.
Consequently, he has challenged President Ruto to drop his perceived fights with the church after the latter presented a list of demands to the government on social, economic, and political challenges facing the country.
”When Ruto picks a war with churches, he will lose. The Anglican and Catholic churches are among the richest. In fact, they are not merely churches; they are enterprises that don’t need money from the president,” Havi urged.
So far, Busia Senator Okiya Omtata is among the candidates who have expressed their interest in unseating Ruto after he formed an advisory committee that will be exploring his presidential ambition’s feasibility.
Others who might likely be in the race include Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka who has in the past continued an onslaught on the government insisting that he will form the next government.
The 2027 elections are likely to be a hot contest pitting key figures against Ruto who will be looking forward to getting a second term, after the expiry of the current.
Former Law Society of Kenya Nelson Havi during a breakfast show on one of the televisions in Kenya.
Nelson Havi