Kenyans have not had a break from politics for the last 5 years or so. After the 2017 general elections, former president Uhuru Kenyatta tried to complete the infrastructural projects initiated by his predecessor, President Mwai Kibaki. He was also keen on keeping pace with the 2030 development blueprint.
However, his efforts were undermined by the political noise that spread across the country, brewed mainly by his deputy, the current president, William Ruto. Ruto crisscrossed the country, mingling with the electorate, as he spoke of government projects and achievements.
At the end of the day, he endeared himself to the ordinary folk. He spent a significant amount of time in the Mt. Kenya region, the home turf of his boss, President Kenyatta, and made friends at the local level. Those engagements proved to be veiled political campaigns, and they paid off.
The 2022 Election Results Almost Caused Political Unrest
William Ruto managed to clinch the presidency following the 2022 general elections, amidst election controversies that threatened to cause political upheaval.
However, Kenyans chose peace, eager to resume their normal lives. They were already fatigued, having remained in campaign mode endlessly, courtesy of politicians within and outside government. Many also had high hopes that the new government would improve their living standards, as promised by the leaders.
Kenyans are Crashing under the Weight of Taxes and Levies
Unfortunately, the hopes of those who voted in the Ruto-led government were quickly crashed, as many small businesses began to suffer under the weight of hiked taxes, levies, and licenses.
This week, there has been talk of the government planning to lower taxes for salaried employees, some of the most oppressed Kenyans under this regime. Their payslips have been mutilated by taxes and levies they never anticipated, and do not believe are justified.
If employees in formal employment receive a financial reprieve now, will it be long-term or just a political gimmick to help the government cross the 2027 election bridge?
Opposition Promising to Save Kenyans
Kenyans, most of whom are experiencing economic turmoil, are wondering whether the choices they make in the next general elections will improve their welfare.
Many believe their lives can only become worse if President Ruto wins a second term in office. Many of those insist that only a president from among the politicians currently opposed to the incumbent can alleviate, or at least minimize, the current socio-economic problems.
Can the Opposition Leaders Shelve their Egos?
History has shown that the incumbent president can easily sail through if the opposition leaders fail to unite. Will that be the case in 2027?
Kenya’s opposition has many ambitious and credible leaders, among them Kalonzo Musyoka, leader of the WPF party, popularly known as the Wiper Party; Fred Matiang’i, a respected senior minister in former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s government; Rigathi Gachagua, who was unceremoniously hounded out of office as Ruto’s Deputy President; and Martha Karua, running mate of former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, in the 2022 general elections. Many more are expected to join these frontrunners in the presidential race as days go by.
Big Question: Will the opposition leaders unite behind one of them, as they did in 2002 to end the repressive Kanu regime?
As Kenyans ponder over who should become president in 2027, it may serve them well to consider:
- Is this person capable of running a government?
- How corrupt or corruptible is this individual?
- Is this person knowledgeable, confident, and secure enough to involve professionals/experts before making radical decisions?
- Or, is this the kind of person likely to build a fortress around him/her based on nepotism?
Even then, Kenyans must, themselves, put aside their tribal cards, male bigotry, petty jealousies, and such other self-sabotaging tendencies. After all, those biases and prejudices do not help put food on the table. They do not make health services accessible to the country’s low and middle classes, nor do they keep the youth safe from wanton shootings and abductions.
In short, even with good laws in place, the integrity of the presidency is as high/solid as the individual holding the office.
Will Kenya’s 2027 election results lead to more of the same incessant politicking, a dwindling economy, and shrunken freedoms?
Or will it give rise to a new era of hope and tangible socio-economic growth?