Former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) president Nelson Havi has weighed in on the recent heckling incident during President William Ruto’s visit to Isiolo, suggesting that both parties share responsibility for the confrontational exchange.

Speaking on a local media station on February 11, 2025, Havi emphasized the importance of mutual respect between leaders and citizens for effective communication.

“It is said that the youth heckled the President; I think the President also heckled the people of Isiolo. And when you heckle other people, why should you be surprised when they heckle you back?” Havi said.

He criticized the use of confrontational tactics in communication, stating that shouting is ineffective for persuasion.

“It is my view that shouting is not the best way of persuading anybody in communication,” he stated.

Havi highlighted successful campaign strategies used during the election period as examples of effective engagement.

“We traversed the entire country to look for votes, and we were very persuasive; we never shouted, we never heckled, nor were we heckled because there was communication,” he explained.

The lawyer warned that a breakdown in communication leads to confrontational situations.

“The moment there’s a breakdown of communication, there will be that perception that somebody is heckling at you, but look at the mirror; if you are heckling at the people, they will heckle you back,” he cautioned.

Havi further stressed the need for reciprocal respect in leadership, stating, “We need a situation where everybody respects each other. The people should respect their leaders, and leaders should respect the people.”

The Isiolo confrontation

Havi’s comments address the February 7, 2025, incident where President Ruto faced a hostile reception during the groundbreaking ceremony for the County Aggregation and Industrial Park project.

Tension escalated when residents began chanting “Ruto must go” following an address by Isiolo MP Bonaya Mumina Gollo.

The situation prompted Governor Abdi Guyo to intervene with a plea for order.

“Leo ni siku ya rais, wacha tupatie rais heshima. Tupatie rais heshima. Tuskize viongozi wote. Wale wamezoea kupanga, watu wapigie watu kelele, hamtarudi kupiga kelele Isiolo. Tunaelewana?” (Today is the President’s day; let’s give him respect. Let’s listen to all leaders. Those who are used to organizing heckling, you will not return to heckling in Isiolo. Do we understand each other?) he said.

The disruption intensified when Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo attempted to address the gathering. Faced with persistent heckling, she was forced to plead with the crowd, saying, “Let us not throw stones.”

Responding to the hostile reception, President Ruto attributed the protests to drug traffickers retaliating against his administration’s narcotics crackdown in the region.

“We’ve been having problems in Isiolo and Marsabit with people from other countries bringing drugs here and selling them to our children. Let me be clear – we will deport these drug dealers,” Ruto declared.

“I hear these drug dealers have brought youth to heckle us here. Listen carefully, young people – you cannot intimidate the Kenyan government,” he added.

Despite attempting to maintain his composure, the president’s efforts to introduce his allies were met with continued resistance as residents waved their hands in dissatisfaction while persisting with their “Uongo (lies)” chants.

“Take your threats elsewhere. I will build Isiolo,” he stated firmly.

Ultimately, the growing hostility forced the president to end his speech prematurely.