Azimio, Kenya Kwanza contest exposes deceit to electoral laws

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula arrives for Parliament sitting after recess in Nairobi, on February 11, 2025. [Elvis Ogina,Standard] Political power is undeniably captivating. It offers fame, popularity and immense personal wealth that often become the chief aim for many political aspirants. Elections are often exploited as personal enrichment, with candidates and their backers more focused on amassing power than serving interests of citizens. This relentless emphasis on material gain transforms the democratic process into a spectacle of chaos - characterised by violent clashes, property destruction, and rampant corruption- where political contests become battlegrounds for narrow interests rather than platforms for national development. In such an environment, the noble responsibilities of leadership are sacrificed on the altar of personal ambition, diverting critical attention from the nation's pressing needs and eroding public trust in democratic institutions. The dark legacy of the 2007 post-election violence serves as a grim reminder of how legal frameworks have been distorted to serve political ends rather than uphold justice and order. Last week's court ruling affirming the Azimio Coalition as the majority party in Parliament-based on the 2022 election outcome-not only challenges entrenched power structures but also reaffirms that this manipulation of the law is far from a relic of the past. This ruling clearly demonstrates that the Judiciary, committed to upholding constitutional principles, stands as a bastion of the rule of law amid a political environment rife with manipulation. By adhering strictly to legal tenets rather than succumbing to partisan pressures, the courts have reaffirmed their independence and the supremacy of law in matters of state. The decision sends a potent message to those who have historically contorted legal norms to secure power: the law must prevail over political expediency. The ensuing chaos in Parliament lays bare a systemic disdain for legal processes among Kenya's political elite. Rather than engaging in reasoned debate, lawmakers have descended into confrontations and physical altercations, signalling to voters that legal principles are merely tools for the weak. When a legislature, whose fundamental duty is to craft and safeguard laws, responds to a judicial mandate with disorder, it starkly exposes how deeply entrenched the manipulation of law is in Kenya's political culture. This manipulation once culminated in the tragic events of 2007. Moreover, the bitter exchanges in Parliament represent a clear act of bad faith against the electorate. In the last general election, voters decisively chose which party should wield power in Parliament. Yet, by dismissing the court's unequivocal ruling and engaging in partisan bickering, political leaders betray the people's will and perpetuate a dangerous precedent where the law is subverted for short-term political gain. Such actions undermine the legitimacy of the electoral process and erode public trust in democratic institutions. While the final resolution of this political impasse remains uncertain, the Azimio Coalition has a crucial lesson to learn. If they genuinely held the majority, why did they not stay united and steadfast while awaiting the court ruling? The answer is clear: from the outset, some elected leaders of the Azimio Coalition abandoned their ranks when the Supreme Court ruling conferred presidential power to the Kenya Kwanza coalition. This abandonment reveals a profound scepticism towards the rule of law-whether political party law or electoral law - and exposes a willingness to forsake constitutional principles for personal or partisan gain. Similarly, the Kenya Kwanza Coalition must confront its vulnerabilities. By clinging to power through legal maneuvering rather than genuine popular support, it has exposed itself as naked, violating the law to maintain a majority. In the fullness of time, such tactics unmask the actual status of a party that was, in essence, a minority presenting itself as the majority. Both coalitions, therefore, must reckon with the consequences of their actions: a political culture that manipulates legal frameworks not only undermines democracy but also betrays the trust of a people who demand integrity, transparency, and respect for the rule of law. So what is in this contest for the ordinary Kenyan voter? The hope is that the courts of law can streamline the electoral process and give it the much-needed legitimacy to reduce voter apathy. Let Parliament lead by example in following the law. -Dr Elias is executive director of Loyola Centre for Media and Communication

Azimio, Kenya Kwanza contest exposes deceit to electoral laws

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