We're undergoing the pain of transiting to a developed democracy

Kenya is a fascinating country. Within the same seven days, we had a new Cabinet nominated by the constitutionally inaugurated President of the Republic and a “People’s President” taking his oath of office in broad daylight in the country’s capital. The police were surprisingly absent from the swearing in ceremony despite tough threats just a day before. As the event was going on, the three main media stations were switched off, an unprecedented event save for Michuki’s closure at the height of poll violence in 2008. But if you were to go into any part of Kenya, including the opposition heartland of Kisumu, you would not sense a country under siege and in the throes of a political crisis. 

Business continues in a vibrant a spirit as ever. Social media, which is the main source of news for many millennials and upcoming middle class, remains as effusive as ever. County governments, the most brazen evidence of Government in the regions, continue to work with their usual gusto, traditional sleaze and political intrigues. While it is clear that opposition operatives will continue to land in court on unsustainable charges in the next few days, the courts will release them on easy bond terms, despite vociferous objections from the Executive.