Presidency is a public office not private property

There is a great deal of interest in the Kenyan presidency. Reasons for such high demand are known to Raila Odinga and William Ruto. The two look worn out and angry while in search of the seat even as each claims it is his moment. History and religious legitimacy are a strong backup for their actions. Ruto claims he has the moral right to the presidency. Raila speaks of his historic moment, and that he has suffered and lost the presidency unfairly many times before. Time will soon tell.

In a month’s time, we are going to elect our president. At the moment, political candidates are at our mercy. They are reaching out to us, bribing us, visiting us bearing gifts, persuading us and talking to us in very friendly language. After August 9, however, whoever wins the election will show the public his true self. We will either see the devil in him or the angel he has constantly promised Kenyans. He will attain certain authority over us and have expressed powers, delegated powers, and inherent powers. The institution of the Kenyan presidency has grown in power and prominence over the few decades.

As Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, he will enjoy military parades and executive powers and will head the nation’s security and intelligence agencies; he will exercise judicial power to grant pardons, reprieves, and amnesty as head of state. The president will be busy flying all over the globe exercising diplomatic powers, making treaties or receiving ambassadors, and or even creating executive agreements. 

Locally, he will be busy using his powers to appoint principal executive officers of different ministries and so on. So, what I am saying is that we won’t be seeing the person we are used to see in campaigns anymore. We won’t see him until 2027. He will be surrounded by the people who used a lot of money to enable him take power. He will be busy rewarding those who ‘died’ for him in campaigns and in times of hardship. So don’t think that the president will be like your uncle. You will be in for a rude shock.

But it must be understood that the Kenyan presidency is changing significantly. Kenyans are beginning to understand that the presidency is a public institution, not a private one. They are increasingly aware that they are the ones who created this institution and pay taxes to sustain it.

The president signs a social contract with the people, once they elect him, that he will provide many services for them and uphold the rule of law. With these facts, it is clear that the presidency has become a difficult office. Look at how Uhuru is leaving the office helpless. He is as vulnerable as I have argued before, and he is tied by the Constitution. In other words, do not think that the next president will be much better than Uhuru. 

Most importantly, Raila and Ruto must know that the presidency is a public office. They should know that should one of them win, he should be our servant, not the other way round. Kenyans are far much informed that ever before.

Dr Chacha teaches at Laikipia University.