Former LSK President Nelson Havi/ SCREENGRABFormer Law Society of Kenya president Nelson Havi has hit out at critics who have been accusing him of declaring political allegiance to one side of the political divide, dismissing the labels as irrelevant.
Responding to mounting criticism on his social media handle on Monday, the lawyer made it clear that the labels being thrown at him held no weight, emphasising that such characterisations neither define him nor affect his standing for good governance.
He added that his ability to adapt and succeed was not dependent on any government in power, saying that in his position within society, he could survive under any administration, whether good or bad.
“Two things; First, I am not (declaring allegiance to political sides). Second, in my class in the society, I can survive in any government - good or bad,” he stated.
The real danger, he warned, was not for people like him, but for ordinary citizens who suffer should governance fail.
“It is you who will die of hunger and disease in a bad government. The choice is yours,” Havi said.
The lawyer also challenged the notion that one presidential candidate is inherently stronger than the other, calling the perception misguided and misleading.
According to him, the idea that strength lies with a particular candidate is a false narrative being pushed to influence public opinion.
“It is you, the Kenyan voter who must discard your decisional weakness and gain the strength of a deliberative voter,” he said.
Earlier this year, the ex-LSK president announced that he would not support President William Ruto’s reelection in 2027.
This was despite being a strong supporter of Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza government during the 2022 elections, where he played a key role in their campaigns
After Ruto’s victory, Havi was appointed chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA).
His appointment, made by former Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung’u, was officially announced in a notice dated February 10, 2023.
He was appointed to serve on a three-year term.
Despite still serving as RBA chairperson in Ruto’s government, Havi appears to be distancing himself from the President and has become one of his most vocal critics.
“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,” Havi said in a previous Citizen TV interview.
Instead, he expressed his support for former Chief Justice David Maraga should he choose to run for presidency in 2027.
