Kenyan Politics Today: A Game of Strategy, Suspense, and Public Sentiment

 

Kenyan politics has reached a fascinating yet confusing place. To explain, imagine you're at a soccer match where both teams have exciting players, but the game turns out to be boring. Why? Because it's too technical—both sides are focused on specific strategies and tactics that make the game less thrilling for spectators. In politics, this is exactly where we are today. The major rally in Kibra, for example, was electrifying and well-attended, but there seems to be a deliberate effort to suppress or downplay the true scale of these gatherings in the media.

There’s a tactical play at work, especially on the side of Azimio, where the strategy seems to be to keep opponents guessing and to make sudden moves that will surprise everyone. However, there’s a problem: Kenya’s youth—who want instant results—are growing impatient with the slow pace of change. This is partly why a new movement, the Movement for the Defense of Democracy (MDD), has emerged within Azimio to keep the youth engaged and mobilized around issues like electoral justice.

On the other side, President Ruto's administration is working on something big behind the scenes. While it hasn’t yet been revealed, there’s palpable tension and impatience, and the public is starting to feel the weight of unfulfilled promises—especially those regarding the cost of living. This discontent is slowly shifting public support, making it harder for the government to maintain momentum.

Interestingly, we are witnessing a public sentiment shift similar to what happened in Ireland in 1916 during the Easter Rebellion. Initially, public opinion was against the rebels, but as the British overreacted, the tide turned in favor of the rebels. In Kenya, it’s possible that the current government’s actions are pushing people toward opposition, just as public anger in Ireland shifted in favor of the Irish independence movement. This changing public mood is something that politicians must pay attention to, as ignoring it could lead to significant consequences.

Today’s rally in Kibra was a reminder of the power of public sentiment. The crowd’s reaction to Raila Odinga’s speech—highlighting the need for President Ruto to step down—was electric. This is a sign that the people are restive, and as we’ve seen in history, when public anger reaches a tipping point, things can change very quickly.

This shift in public sentiment, combined with the growing impatience and strategic plays by both sides, sets the stage for what could be a dramatic political showdown in Kenya.