Lawyer Nelson Havi Explains Why He Ditched Ruto for Gachagua

Former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) president Nelson Havi has opened up about his decision to leave the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), led by President William Ruto, and align with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), saying it was driven by principle rather than politics.

In an interview on NTV’s Fixing the Nation morning show on Thursday, February 5, 2026, Havi revealed that his resignation from UDA last year was prompted by repeated marginalisation within the party.

“It became unbearable to be associated with UDA,” said the former LSK president.

He recounted being removed from the voter register at his polling station during UDA elections in April 2024, a move he described as “justifiable grounds” for leaving the party.

Lawyer Nelson Havi Explains Why He Exited Ruto’s Party

Havi said he formally resigned from UDA around September–October 2025. During the months that followed, he was approached by various political leaders but eventually settled on Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

“There have been people who have been courting me. I’ve seen their overtures. I’ve been able to evaluate them. And I settled on DCP,” said Havi.

He praised Gachagua and his allies as forthright, genuine people who have been sidelined for standing for what is right.

Havi, who officially joined DCP on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, was spotted with several former UDA members alongside the former Deputy President. He described his alignment with Gachagua and them as a natural progression, citing their past collaborations.

Also Read: Ruto Showers Kindiki With Praise, Says His Govt Has Achieved More Since Gachagua’s Exit

Those leaders include DCP Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala and Gatanga MP Edward Kamau, who campaigned alongside him for President William Ruto in the 2022 elections.

“Yesterday, on my right was His Excellency, the former Deputy President, the elected a deputy president, not an appointed one. On my right was Honorable Cleophas Malala. On my far left was Honorable Edward Kamau, my first employer. There was Mithika Linturi,” Havi said.

Former LSK President Dismisses Claims He Joined DCP Party Based on Personality Politics

Addressing concerns about personality-driven politics, Havi stressed that his decision to join DCP is rooted in policy and ideology, not loyalty to a political figure.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who welcomed Havi to DCP, said the party requires great legal minds for legislation, representation, and oversight, describing the former LSK president as one of the country’s top legal minds. He added that he will walk with Havi in his quest to represent the people of Westlands Constituency in the National Assembly.

Havi will be vying for the Westlands seat for the second time, having previously lost in the 2022 general elections to incumbent Tim Wanyonyi.

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