Nelson Havi declares presidential bid

By Peter Ochieng

Former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Nelson Havi has declared his presidential bid, ahead of the 2027 presidential race.

During an interview on Citizen TV on Monday morning, Havi said he will go for the top seat, because ‘there ought to be an alternative’ to President William Ruto, who is expected to defend his seat.

“Of course, I will be running for President of the Republic of Kenya in 2027. It is now quiet evidence that there ought to be an alternative to Dr. William Samoei Ruto,” he said.

Havi said ODM party leader Raila Odinga was better placed to give Ruto ‘a run for his money’ during the contest, but the former Premier Minister has shifted gears from the local political scene in a bid to become the next African Union Commission (AUC) chairman.

“And you can see my cousins, Baba’s (Raila’s) other sons are quite determined to ensure that he is saddled at the continental level instead of coming here. If Baba doesn’t want to do it, some of us will do it.”

Havi is currently serving as the Chairman of the Board of Directors, a position he landed on 6th February 2023.

He served as the 49th LSK President from 2020 to 2021, before being succeeded by Eric Theuri.

The distinguished lawyer vied for the Westlands Parliamentary seat in 2022, where he lost to the incumbent Tim Wanyonyi. He vied for the seat on President Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party ticket, and swiftly conceded defeat.

"Well done Team Havi. We are the minority in the contest for Westlands. The majority chose Timothy Wanyonyi. They duly deserve him in their wisdom or lack of it. On our part, we are contented with the outcome. Congratulations to you my elder brother, Tim Wanyonyi. Serve well,” he noted.

He becomes the second Kenyan to declare his presidential bid within a matter of weeks, after activist Morara Kebaso.

Busia Senator Okoiti Okiyah Omtatah is reportedly weighing his options.