Multiple players filling oversight gap left by Raila's union with Ruto

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has become a defender of President Ruto's government leaving other actors to take up oversight role. [File, Standard]

If former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s crossing over into the government had created a gap in the opposition, then President William Ruto has not noticed it much.

That is thanks to the legion of actors who have moved in to fill whatever oversight void existed. Kenya’s vibrant youth, political players, the clergy and civil society groups have largely taken up the role of keeping the ruling Kenya Kwanza administration on its toes.

When he rose to the presidency three years ago, Dr Ruto was hardly aware of the troubles that awaited his reign. He knew he could survive an opposition onslaught and chided them to be as robust as possible.

Indeed, he weathered waves of protests by Raila’s Azimio coalition, but that did not prepare him for the youth-led revolt that convulsed the administration last year, repeated in June and July this year.

Irked by a proposal to hike critical taxes, the youth poured into the streets in protest. Their grievances evolved into seeking Ruto’s resignation over poor governance and calling out police brutality.

Allans Ademba, who actively participated in the Generation Z demos, says no opposition has been as formidable as that fronted by the youth, evidenced by the drastic measures Ruto took to quell their resistance.

“Raila has led protests, but the President did not sack his Cabinet because of their demos,” said Ademba, also pointing out Ruto’s aggressive counter to the demos, which included State-sanctioned abductions.

Kenya’s youth are mostly aggrieved by the apparent broken system that disproportionately disadvantages them. At 67 per cent, according to the Federation of Kenyan Employers, the unemployment rate among the youth is five times higher than the national rate.

The youth are still largely missing from the decision-making table, with established politicos historically plotting to either exploit their numbers for selfish gain or dwindle their influence. Many critics argue that Ruto’s handshake with Raila was meant to introduce divisions among a population that had transcended ethnic and other barriers.

Ademba says the youth’s role in providing oversight would remain critical, highlighting the fact that it has never really died down, largely kept alive on social media.

“It is more than 100 per cent necessary that we keep the pressure up. If we don’t exert pressure, no one will do it. We have no choice. We are the most affected,” Ademba said.

On the political front, there is the “United Opposition”, a coalition led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, as well as the Kenya Moja outfit, which comprises young politicians like Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East lawmaker Babu Owino, among others.

Then there are others, like former Chief Justice David Maraga who is seeking a transition from the Judiciary to the Executive, Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, rights activist Boniface Mwangi and Reuben Kigame, a gospel musician and political activist. All of them, presenting themselves as alternatives to mainstream politicians, aspire to be president in 2027.

The Gachagua-led opposition has been the most vocal, calling out Ruto at every turn. While Gachagua was away in the United States recently, there was a lull in his coalition’s activities. That seems likely to change, with the outfit planning a series of activities in the coming days. On Wednesday, they met to strategise on the by-elections coming up in October.

“We are united in our patriotic duty to liberate our nation. We shall get this nation back on track together,” several principals wrote on social media after the Nairobi meeting attended by Gachagua, Kalonzo, Martha Karua, Eugene Wamalwa, Fred Matiang’i, Justin Muturi, Mithika Linturi and Jubilee chairperson Saitoti Torome.

The mini-polls will provide a clearer picture of Gachagua’s grip on the Mount Kenya region, as well as the opposition’s fortunes in areas such as the Coast and Western Kenya, courtesy of the Mbeere North, Magarini, and Malava parliamentary by-elections, respectively.

Some elements within Kenya Kwanza view Gachagua as their most formidable critic, with its members sighing in relief when he left for the US in July.

“The country will be at peace,” Kapseret Member of Parliament Oscar Sudi posted on his social media handles when Gachagua departed for the US.

Herman Manyora, a university lecturer and political commentator, described Gachagua as Ruto’s “biggest headache.”

“Maybe by 2027 the opposition would have settled on one candidate, but Gachagua is causing him the greatest problems,” said Manyora.

Kalonzo has been equally active, calling out the government through countless press briefings. He issued the latest of such on Tuesday, when he blasted the government for overseeing numerous scandals and the apparent breakdown of critical sectors, such as education and health, both crippled by inadequate funding.

“We urge all Kenyans of legal age to get their IDs and register as voters. This is the way we shall rescue and reclaim our beloved nation from the rotten regime,” the Wiper Patriotic Front leader stated. In Parliament, Kalonzo’s allies have mounted some resistance to Ruto’s policies, however frail it has been.

Saboti MP Caleb Amisi has dismissed the united opposition, pointing out Gachagua as bearing “tribal inclinations” and Kalonzo as “too afraid to point out the wrongs of the government.”

“Kenyans are tired of the old, and they want an alternative voice,” said Amisi, a member of the Kenya Moja grouping. “The young people are more aligned with people closer to their age.”

Ademba concurred, highlighting the fact that politicians like Gachagua were “part of the government” that got it wrong for Kenyans.

Enter Kenya Moja. The new alliance is emerging as a strong counter to the government. It comprises politicians from across the divide, which seeks to win the youthful masses, long disenfranchised by the historically dominant coalitions.

Besides Sifuna, Babu and Amisi, other members include MPs Gathoni Wamuchomba (Githunguri), Jack Wamboka (Bumula), Majimbo Kalasinga (Kabuchai), Antony Kibagendi (Kitutu Chache) and Clive Gisairo (Kitutu Masaba), among others.

They have largely adopted a mix of new strategies and old ones. While they engage the masses on social media, they are also reaching out to vote blocs through the so-called empowerment drives and are meeting them in church as well.