Stop the lip service and serve Kenyans without fear, favour

President William Ruto chats with his Deputy Kithure Kindiki during a luncheon after he took oath of office as the third Deputy President on Nov 1, 2024. [PCS]

Kenya has undergone a tumultuous five months, witnessing our democratic ideals and institutions stretched to their limits. It began with the rejection of the Finance Bill by the people, in protests spearheaded by young Kenyans, now popularly referred to as Gen Zs. During the unprecedented demonstrations, both the good and the ugly sides of our democracy were on full display - the people's voice was heard, but we also meaninglessly lost lives at the hands of those meant to protect them.

This set off a chain of events, culminating yesterday in the swearing-in of a new deputy president, Prof Abraham Kithure Kindiki. In this rollercoaster, the Cabinet was dissolved and reconstituted - albeit with old faces and members of the Opposition in a broad-based government - by President Ruto. Then, Deputy President President Rigathi Gachagua was impeached by the National Assembly and the Senate under controversial circumstances that tested the country's institutions. Whether or not Parliament did its job well, another institution - the Judiciary - is now seized of the matter and is expected to serve justice the former Number Two.