Former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Nelson Havi has announced that he will not support President William Ruto’s reelection in 2027, despite previously being a key ally in the 2022 general election.
Havi, who was appointed Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA) in 2023, now appears to be distancing himself from the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Speaking during an interview with Citizen TV on Tuesday, Havi firmly stated that his political allegiance to Ruto was only for a single term.
“My contract with William Ruto was for five years, and as those five years come to an end, I do not propose to renew it,” he declared.
Instead, Havi has thrown his support behind former Chief Justice David Maraga, should he decide to enter the 2027 presidential race.
“I have said we need David Maraga as the next President of the Republic of Kenya, and I say this forthrightly. No one can fault me for it—no one controls me, and they know it,” he added.
Havi clarified that his decision was not rooted in a belief that Ruto had become a bad leader but rather due to changes in his leadership approach.
“William Samoei Ruto is one of the best men I have ever come across in my life, and I have no regrets about supporting him. However, his conduct has changed for the worse,” he said, urging the President to listen to voices that mean well for him.
Havi first voiced his support for Maraga in November 2024, suggesting that either the former Chief Justice or his predecessor, Willy Mutunga, should run for president. His remarks come amid growing speculation about Maraga’s political future, especially after the retired judge recently hosted civil society activists at his Nairobi residence.
In a viral video from the meeting, Maraga was seen singing a popular liberation song from the 2024 anti-government protests, further fueling discussions about his possible entry into politics.
“The youth’s struggle for a better Kenya deserves all our support,” Maraga later wrote on social media, reinforcing his alignment with the ongoing push for governance reforms.
