From Hope to Havoc: How the Ruto Regime Lost Public Trust So Fast

By: Josphat Kamanya

Since the promulgation of the 2010 constitution, Kenya has yearned and worked on progressive democracy, implementation of the said constitution, anchoring itself  in the rule of law for prosperity of the nation, and a brave devolved transfomative agenda.

All the ideals enshrined in the constitution – from social justice, electoral reforms, , judicial independence, police reforms, and economic revamping and growth have remained not a mirage as marked by the staggered efforts of adherence to the said constitution until the William Ruto regime.  Now the ideals seem to be a mirage.

The current regime has faced endless litigation from citizens, has grown overly  unpopular, met unmatched criticism on public policy, has had a first and fast impeachment of a deputy president, a reshuffle of the cabinet, continues to experience revolt around finance bill and austerity measures, quickly gaining trust deficit, been rendered illegitimate, has attempted to gag the fourth estate, and an unsilenced call on discontinuing the president from office on or before August 2027 depending on whom you talk to but the collective conviction is that the president must not have more than one term in office.

But how does a regime become unpopular and illegitimate fast and soon after winning an election albeit the minute margin? Was the William Ruto team even ready to head the state, handle instruments of power, and deliver the nation closer to its ideals?

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What will happen to the people and how will the nation of Kenya stand in a world where rule of law is the only option if the status quo remains in the next 800 days towards 10^th August 2027 when the country will birth a new regime?

The question lingers on. The standoff between the state and the people remains. Both sides are hell bent and unwavering. The people want change but the state organs are alleging that there is a coup in play.

Sadly, the price of this agitation is loss of life, excessive force from the police, including a deployment of the army on civilians.

Not to mention the extra-judicial killings, abductions and un-ending demonstrations from the people of all walks of life. A proper manuscript of a revolution. The call for the regime change has never been louder.

Divisional attempts, by political players in and not in government along tribal, regional and generational lines are experiencing a brutal rebuke from the people because the revolution is about an ideology of a better nation for all generations.

The people are equally agitating and advancing on their cause but the government is adamant that the revolution it is a political outfit funded by the antagonists.

Kenyans are as a resilient lot, a rare breed that grow more spirited especially when undermined, dared to act, and aware of their rights and freedoms.

It remains to be seen how this resilience will prevail or what the state will manage and for how long the regime continues to grapple with the new reality – the beginning of an end.