Former Law Society of Kenya President Nelson Havi has publicly rejected being addressed as “Mheshimiwa,” revealing that he hangs up phone calls or disassociates from people who use the title.

Mheshimiwa is a Swahili honorific commonly used in Kenya to address people of distinction, particularly Members of Parliament and other dignitaries.

In a statement issued on his official X account on Saturday, December 27, 2025, Havi explained his strong aversion to the commonly used honorific title, citing its phonetic resemblance to an undesirable phrase.

“I do not like being called Mheshimiwa either on phone or in person. In fact, I hung up the phone and dissociate if in person. It sounds like mwizi wa miwa. I could be many things, but for a fact not a cane thief,” Havi stated.

Preferred titles

The senior counsel outlined his preferred forms of address, offering simpler alternatives to those wishing to interact with him.

“Just call me Nelson, Havi or Wakili. If you must pontificate, call me Rais, President or Senior Counsel,” he said.

Mixed public reaction

The statement has generated mixed reactions on social media, with some Kenyans expressing surprise at Havi’s strong stance against a widely accepted honorific title.

“True SC, such platitudes sometimes drains so much coz at the end of it all someone uses them to mine unjustified monetary gains from you, reject kabisa,” @EGonserio wrote on X.

“Makes sense. Kenyan so-called leaders have ruined the name ‘Mheshimiwa’,” @SikukuNamunyu added.

“If you hope to represent the people of Westlands, you have to manifest and associate with such names,” @WanTam27 commented.