Former Law Society of Kenya President Nelson Havi has declared his intention to run for Kenya’s presidency in 2027, citing the need for an alternative to President William Ruto. Speaking during an interview with Citizen TV, Havi stated, “Of course, I will be running for president of the Republic of Kenya in 2027,” adding that opposition leaders supporting Raila Odinga’s bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship leave him as a viable contender.
Havi remarked that with Raila unlikely to vie for the presidency, he would step in to provide an alternative. “If Baba doesn’t want to do it, some of us will,” he said.
Meanwhile, Raila Odinga’s campaign for the AUC chairmanship has gained momentum, with 25 African countries pledging support for Kenya’s candidature. The government team, led by Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign CS Musalia Mudavadi, has made progress in convincing seven additional countries, potentially raising the total to 32 of the 48 eligible voting nations.
Under African Union election rules, a candidate requires two-thirds of the votes, translating to 32 votes this cycle. Raila has focused his campaign efforts in West Africa and is set to visit Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states, which include Angola, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia, among others.
Raila’s bid received a significant boost after Mauritius withdrew its candidate, Anil Gayan, and pledged support for Kenya. The race now pits Raila against Djibouti’s Youssouf and Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato. President Ruto is relying on Raila’s success to push for reforms within the AUC.
