The disconnect between citizens and leadership points to a nation on edge

President William Ruto inspects the guard of honour during Jamhuri Day Celebrations at Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi, on December 12, 2024. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

In his third and median Jamhuri Day speech, President William Ruto sought to remind the nation of the enduring spirit of the founding fathers that secured the freedoms we enjoy today. Ironically, this comes amid his continued unwarranted attacks on Kenyans critical of his policies, labeling them either as possessed by evil spirits or stupid.

While post-independence leaders have often leaned on the sacrifices of our forefathers to rally the nation, there are justifiable concerns about whether they have lived up to the expectations of those visionaries. For many Kenyans, our leaders invoke the dreams of the founding fathers only when it serves their personal interests.