Politicians should learn the importance of rule of law

Throughout history, most countries that have achieved rule of law have done so not through the passing of laws, but through political action. After long periods of costly (and at times violent) trial and error, ruling elites in these countries decided to devise mechanisms of settling political conflicts in a predictable manner. In other words, they established mutually agreeable rules of the game that were self-enforcing and therefore required no third-party enforcement. Thereafter, everyone tried to play by the rules most of the time to reap the benefits of predictability in the political sphere.

This perspective should inform our thinking about the tribulations of Ndindi Nyoro and other politicians who have had run-ins with the police. To avoid such incidences, they should work hard to shield the police from undue political influence, and provide ample resources for the continued training and professionalisation of the Police Service. Only then will we have a chance of achieving true rule of law. The general incentives for such reforms ought to be clear for all to see. Nobody is safe from a security establishment that can be abused by whoever is in power. Not even former presidents.