Kenya’s recent political alliance between President Ruto and Raila Odinga raises concerns about the vitality of democracy and the opposition’s role in governance. Political handshakes have historically diluted electoral integrity, leading to troubling trends such as corruption, policy instability, and human rights violations. To cultivate a meaningful democracy, reforms are essential to ensure opposition is institutionalized, elections are respected, and political accountability is restored.
In Kenya, a recent political truce between President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga has sparked discussions about the true function of elections. While some celebrate this handshake as a step towards unity, it raises critical concerns regarding democracy and the opposition’s role in governance. This cycle of handshakes often leads to the question: do elections merely dictate who will share power, rather than serve their intended democratic purpose?
Political handshakes in Kenya date back to 2008, following the contentious 2007 elections, when President Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga created a power-sharing agreement that yielded a Grand Coalition Government. Initially intended to quell post-election violence, this arrangement established a precedent for further compromises between rival parties, raising doubts about the integrity of subsequent elections and governance.
The handshake trend witnessed with Raila’s alliance with Uhuru Kenyatta in 2018, where he abandoned his critical stance to join the government, reflects a pattern that leaves many questioning the actual value of elections in Kenya. This phenomenon undermines the essence of democracy and raises significant alarm over the future of political accountability.
According to Article 38 of the Kenyan Constitution, citizens are entitled to free and fair elections. However, frequent alignments of opposition leaders with the ruling party negate this principle, leaving voters without a viable alternative to challenge governmental excesses. Consequently, the political landscape is transformed into a facade of democracy rather than genuine representation.
This dynamic is further perpetuated by the erosion of Kenya’s democratic values outlined in Article 10, which emphasizes principles such as integrity, transparency, and accountability. The merging of opposition and ruling parties undermines these foundational concepts and risks transforming political competition into a mere formality.
Kenya’s governance increasingly resembles a revolving door where political actors exchange roles without addressing systemic issues such as corruption. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission continually uncovers significant scandals, yet the absence of political resolve to address these matters further complicates governance and undermines trust among citizens.
Moreover, the instability associated with each handshake compromises policy continuity, adversely affecting economic growth and investor confidence. The public’s growing disillusionment with elections, as they perceive a lack of corresponding change, is evident in declining voter participation.
Political handshakes also contravene the principles established by the 2010 Constitution, which envisaged a direct presidential election system. The introduction of backdoor negotiations creates confusion about authority and responsibilities, thereby eroding institutional effectiveness and risking repeat governance failures.
In addition to governance challenges, political reconciliations have implications for human rights, often ignoring victims of past electoral violence and mishandled governance issues in favor of political expediency. Kenya’s commitments under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, particularly regarding dignity and public participation, are routinely compromised.
The weakening of opposition parties results in unchecked authority that cripples Parliament’s independence. Article 94 sanctifies this autonomy, yet participation in handshake agreements blurs the lines between the Executive and Legislative branches, diminishing the ability of Parliament to uphold oversight.
To enhance democracy, Kenya must disrupt this cyclical political mediocrity. Institutionalizing a genuine opposition through amendments preventing the merger of political parties within an electoral cycle would be a significant advancement. Electoral reforms, such as restructuring the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, coupled with rigorous regulations on post-election collaborations, are essential to restoring public trust.
The recent handshake between Ruto and Raila embodies ongoing political betrayals jeopardizing Kenya’s democracy. If elections serve only as means to facilitate political compromises, one must consider their actual significance. A government devoid of opposition risks devolving into a dictatorship and, until citizens demand substantial change, Kenya may remain ensnared in a cycle of meaningless elections and strategic alliances that benefit only the political elite.
In summary, the political dynamics in Kenya illustrate a troubling trend of handshakes that undermine the integrity of democracy. The continuous merging of opposition leaders with the ruling government weakens critical checks on power, erodes public trust in the electoral process, and leads to policy volatility. For democracy to take root and flourish, there must be robust institutional changes that foster genuine opposition, electoral integrity, and accountability among the political class. Without these changes, Kenya runs the risk of remaining trapped in a cycle of superficial political negotiations, ultimately hindering the principles of democracy.
Original Source: icj-kenya.org
