Former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Nelson Havi has publicly expressed regret for backing President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration in the 2022 elections.

Speaking on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, during an interview with a local TV station, Havi apologised to Kenyans for what he now calls a betrayal of campaign promises.

He further admitted that the government has failed to deliver on its people-centred agenda that promised agribusiness, better healthcare, quality education, jobs, and business opportunities.

“We campaigned on a very simplistic, people-oriented agenda: agribusiness to ensure that people have sustainable food production, access to healthcare, good education, employment, and business opportunities. There has been a failure in this; look at education, for instance,” Havi said.

State House meetings

The outspoken lawyer, who unsuccessfully contested the Westlands MP seat on a UDA ticket in 2022, also criticised Ruto’s recent meeting with teachers at State House, terming the move as shenanigans that were never witnessed even during the reign of former President Daniel Moi.

“And what happens when teachers are called to go to the State House? They don’t mention the problems they have in schools, like a lack of classrooms and a lack of capacity to implement CBC. Instead, the heads of teachers go there and say ‘tutam’. These shenanigans never even happened during the time of President Daniel Arap Moi,” he stated.

Stakeholder engagement

Havi challenged President Ruto to engage directly with stakeholders, instead of choreographed meetings.

He argues that the head of state has worsened the situation because he is cognisant of the fact that he doesn’t have universal acceptability from Kenyans.

“But instead, President Ruto has worsened the situation. I am disappointed and apologise most profusely to the people of Kenya. President Ruto has worsened the situation because he is cognisant of the fact that he doesn’t have universal acceptability from the people of Kenya,” Havi said.

“I wish he could call medical doctors to the State House and tell them what he wants to do with them. I wish he could call lecturers who are on strike and tell them what he is planning with them. I wish he could call 20,000 Gen Zs and tell them that this is what he has planned for you and this is what we have achieved. To that extent, I am disappointed and apologise most profusely to the people of Kenya.”