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The Nairobian

Uhuru's laws, Raila's men shaping Ruto's broad-based government

Peter Kimani

By Peter Kimani | Aug 02, 2024

I think sceptical Kenyans should start taking Prezzo Bill Ruto seriously. When he announced that he’d dissolve his Cabinet to pave way for a more inclusive government, not many took his word as truth.

This is because, as someone reminded Prezzo during that train-wreck interview at the State House, he has a reputation for not being truthful. The direct question was: “Kenyans are asking, when will you stop lying…?”

Well, I think Prezzo Ruto's word has been borne out this week as his idea of “government of national unity” came to pass. I am not talking about Cabinet composition, as he doled out prime posts to the opposition. I am thinking of his grand move of reviving Prezzo Uhuru Kenyatta’s Finance Bill 2022, to guide tax collection.

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This is why: Having withdrawn Finance Bill 2024 under pressure from youth-led protests, Prezzo received another jolt from the Court of Appeal this week, which declared Finance Bill 2023 unconstitutional. Apparently, the Bill had been rushed through Parliament, without considering the clear and unequivocal pleas of its rejection from Kenyans.

Consequently, the Kenya Kwanza “financial architecture,” to use a term beloved of Prezzo Ruto, relies on laws laid down by Prezzo UK, while his friend-turned-foe-turned-friend, Raila Odinga, is overseeing the Cabinet.

Does this mirror a “mongrel government” that was much chastised by Prezzo Ruto, during campaigns? I think it’s worse. We still don’t have a name for this strange creature. What’s clear is that the courts have ruled Kenya’s participatory democracy cannot be neutered at the altar of political expediency, and laws enacted using illegalities cannot enjoy the safety of law.