Kenyan politics has seen another handshake between President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga, raising concerns regarding the effectiveness of elections in a system where power-sharing agreements overshadow true democratic engagement. This article critiques the longstanding pattern of political alliances diminishing the opposition’s role, eroding democratic principles enshrined in the Constitution, and suggests reforms to restore integrity and accountability in governance.
In Kenya, a significant political truce has emerged between President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga, embodying a recurring theme in the nation’s political landscape. While this handshake is celebrated by some as a step toward unity, it raises critical inquiries regarding the effectiveness of democracy, governance, and the opposition’s crucial role in holding the government accountable. The question arises: are elections mere precursors to pre-arranged power-sharing?
The tradition of political handshakes is well established in Kenya. Following the contentious 2007 elections, President Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga formed a power-sharing government moderated by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. This agreement created the Grand Coalition Government, sidelining the opposition while presenting a façade of consensus to address post-election violence. Such arrangements have unfortunately paved the way for future elections that lead to similar compromises.
A repeat of this pattern occurred in 2018 when Raila shook hands with President Uhuru Kenyatta, abandoning his former position as a critic of the government. This sequence of political reconciliations prompts a crucial concern among the Kenyan populace about the true meaning and utility of elections in such a context.
The implications for Kenya’s democracy are troubling. According to Article 38 of the Constitution, citizens are entitled to free and fair elections, along with genuine political participation. However, the recurring alliances formed between opposition figures and the ruling party minimize the presence of divergent voices, threatening the foundation of democratic governance, transforming political engagement into a staged performance where disagreement is merely superficial.
This trend undermines the principles outlined in Article 10 of the Constitution, which emphasizes democratic governance, integrity, and accountability. The dilution of opposition dynamics transforms the political landscape into a strategic game of alignment for power, compromising the values essential to effective governance.
Moreover, Kenya’s political environment increasingly resembles one of recycled politicians, where the same individuals assume various roles without facilitating real change to address core systemic issues. Corruption continues to plague the nation, as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) reveals ongoing scandals, yet the lack of genuine political will impedes reform efforts.
Frequent shifts in policy during handshakes or government reshuffles contribute to instability, deterring business confidence and economic growth. As citizens increasingly recognize that their votes do not provoke substantive change, trust in governance diminishes, resulting in lower voter turnout.
The intertwined character of these political handshakes also contributes to a breach of tenets established in the 2010 Constitution. Initially crafted as a pure presidential system, these arrangements foster a quasi-parliamentary dynamism, undermining the presidential authority designated under Article 1(3).
The 2008 power-sharing agreement resulted in the creation of the Office of the Prime Minister, complicating governance through overlapping responsibilities and creating inefficiencies. The potential repetition of such governance missteps could further erode the strength of Kenyan institutions.
Furthermore, political handshakes can precipitate human rights violations, as victims of violence and mismanagement are frequently neglected in the interest of political alliances. As a signatory to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), Kenya must uphold principles surrounding dignity and participation, which are often breached during power-sharing negotiations.
A lack of robust opposition weakens Parliament’s capacity to hold the Executive accountable. Article 94 ensures parliamentary independence, yet political partnerships established through handshakes often blur these essential divisions of government power, leading to a significant oversight deficit that fosters poor governance practices.
To enhance the trajectory of Kenya’s democracy, it is imperative to dismantle the cycle of political stagnation. Institutionalizing robust opposition is critical, including amending the Political Parties Act to restrict opposition parties from merging with the ruling party during an electoral cycle.
Prioritizing electoral reforms, such as restructuring the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and instituting measures against deceptive post-election coalitions that disregard electoral mandates, is essential. Additionally, civil society and media must enhance their roles in promoting transparency and accountability in governance.
The Ruto-Odinga handshake represents yet another chapter in a narrative fraught with political betrayal that jeopardizes the authenticity of Kenya’s democracy. If elections serve solely as a conduit for political compromise, their significance becomes questionable. A regime devoid of opposition mirrors a dictatorship, and until the Kenyan populace advocates for change, the cycle of ineffectual elections and hollow handshakes will persist.
In conclusion, the recent political handshake between President William Ruto and Raila Odinga underscores a troubling trend in Kenyan politics where elections are reduced to mere mechanisms for power-sharing rather than true tests of democratic engagement. This cycle detracts from the principles of accountability and representation guaranteed by the Constitution. For Kenya to foster a robust democracy, it is imperative to reform political structures, ensure genuine opposition, and restore public trust in electoral processes, compelling politicians to prioritize the nation’s collective well-being over individual power interests.
Original Source: icj-kenya.org
