Former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Nelson Havi announced on Monday, December 2, that he will run for President in the 2027 General Election.
Speaking on a morning show on Citizen TV, Havi stated that his decision to contest the presidency is driven by the lack of a serious competitor to challenge President William Ruto, who is currently in office.
Havi also mentioned that his move to vie for the top seat was influenced by veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga’s decision to pursue the African Union Chairperson (AUC) role.
“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 declared.
He further explained, “My cousin Baba (Raila Odinga) is quite determined to remain at the continental level instead of coming back here.
If Baba doesn’t want to do it, some of us will do it.”
According to Havi, the current pool of potential presidential candidates does not pose a serious challenge to President Ruto, which, he believes, positions him as a strong contender for the presidency.
This will not be Havi’s first foray into elective politics.
He previously ran for the Westlands Member of Parliament seat in Nairobi but lost to Tim Wanyonyi of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), despite contesting on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket.
While Havi did not reveal which political party he would run with or whether he would contest as an independent candidate, he is currently serving as the chairperson of the Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA), a position to which he was appointed by President Ruto.
His appointment is widely seen as a reward for his political loyalty to the president.
In addition, Havi commented on the ongoing tensions between President Ruto and the church, particularly after the government faced demands from church leaders on various socio-economic and political issues.
“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 stated.
Senator Okiya Omtata from Busia is another figure who has expressed interest in challenging Ruto for the presidency, having formed an advisory committee to explore the feasibility of his bid.
Other potential contenders for the 2027 race include Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who has consistently challenged the government, insisting that he will lead the next administration.
As President Ruto seeks a second term in the 2027 elections, the contest is expected to be highly competitive with several prominent figures lining up to challenge him.
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