Former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Nelson Havi has come out to reveal what held him back from joining the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) after resigning from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.

While speaking during an interview on a local TV station on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, Havi stated that he was determined to join ODM after calling it a day at the UDA party, but after seeing several internal issues within the Orange party, he decided to hesitate.

He went on to state that after wanting to join the ODM party, key figures within the party, such as Siaya Governor James Orengo, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Nyamira Senator Okongo Omogeni, and many other influential leaders, were dissatisfied with the direction the party had been taking.

“You know, a few days ago, after I resigned from UDA, I was determined to join ODM. But how can I join an ODM where Okongo Omogeni is dissatisfied? How can I join an ODM where Sifuna is dissatisfied? How can I join an ODM where Orengo is dissatisfied?” he asked.

Constituent’s perspective

He further stated that after consulting with his constituents in Westlands, where he plans to vie for the parliamentary seat following his 2022 loss to Tim Wanyonyi, it was clear that the locals support an ODM that upholds the vision and direction championed by leaders like Sifuna, Orengo, and Omogeni.

 According to Havi, the party they desire remains true to its principles and legacy, which it has long embodied since its inception.

He added that ODM is currently at a crossroads, uncertain whether to fully back the broad-based government and President William Ruto’s re-election in 2027 or to chart an independent course that reflects the aspirations of its key leaders and supporters.

“You understand, it’s a quagmire. And as I speak to my people of Westlands, let me depict to you the desirable ODM; it is the ODM of these gentlemen. They are dissatisfied. They are not happy. You get it. It speaks a lot,” Havi said.

The cause of fragmentation

He went ahead to state that the origin of the quagmire that the Orange party is currently entangled in, according to him, is its decision to ditch its legacy role of calling for accountability and putting governments on their toes by coalescing with the state, now appearing fragmented.

“And the origination of this dispute, as has been said by many people, is in coalescing with the government of the day. This fusion creates a blur between the official functions of ODM as a political party and those of the government, and that saddles and negates the weight of ODM. ODM is disintegrated, and it’s so sad because this is the People’s Party,” he added.

UDA resignation

These comments come days after Nelson Havi wrote a letter to the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties requesting resignation from UDA, which he joined in 2021 after being a member of the Musalia Mudavadi-led Amani National Congress (ANC), in order to vie for the Westlands MP seat.