By Remmy Butia
Kenya stands at a crossroads. The passionate energy of Gen Z, channeled into protests, has undeniably shaken the political landscape. While the right to dissent is fundamental to democracy, a troubling undercurrent has emerged: a palpable erosion of basic respect for the office of the Presidency and the person holding it. This isn’t about stifling criticism or blind loyalty to President Dr. William Kipchirchir Samoei Ruto. It’s about safeguarding the fabric of our nation and understanding that the seeds we sow today – including how we express our discontent – will inevitably shape the Kenya we reap tomorrow.
Beyond Ruto: The Seeds We Sow
The fervent cheers by some political leaders, the clergy and the civil society organizations for the Gen Z movement, while understandable expressions of frustration, often overlook a crucial truth: the consequences of sustained disrespect and toxic political discourse transcend any single administration. It’s easy to direct vitriol at the current occupant of State House; President William Ruto, believing the fallout is contained. This is a dangerous illusion.
The aggressive name-calling, the relentless personal attacks, the normalization of shouting down and demeaning the Head of State – these are not tactics confined to one presidency. They establish a precedent. They lower the bar for acceptable political engagement. What happens when those cheering the loudest today; Dr Fred Matiang’i, Kalonzo Musyoka, Eugene Wamalwa, Justin Muturi or even Rigathi Gachagua find themselves in positions of power tomorrow? Will they inherit a nation where respectful debate is the norm, or one where the currency of politics is raw contempt and character assassination? The disrespect normalized today becomes the weapon used against any future leader, potentially including those currently leading the charge of criticism.
Patience Under Fire: A Lesson in Temperament
Regardless of one’s political stance, President Dr William Ruto has demonstrated an extraordinary degree of patience in the face of unprecedented public vitriol. The sheer volume and intensity of negative energy directed personally at him – far beyond policy critique into the realm of insult and dehumanization – is unmatched in recent Kenyan history. The fact that he has consistently maintained his composure, refrained from inflammatory retaliation, and continued to engage (even if his responses are deemed insufficient by critics) is noteworthy. This isn’t an endorsement of his policies, but an acknowledgment of temperament under immense pressure. Dismissing this resilience sets a concerning standard for how leaders should be treated.
Respect = Agreement: The Foundation of Nationhood
Demanding respect for leaders is not synonymous with demanding agreement. Robust, even fierce, criticism of policies, decisions, and governance failures is not only acceptable but essential for a healthy democracy. Accountability is paramount. However, this accountability must be exercised through constructive channels – through reasoned debate in Parliament, through investigative journalism, through the courts, and through peaceful, organized civic action that focuses on issues, not personal destruction.
Respect for the office and the individual holding it, even while vehemently disagreeing, is the bedrock upon which stable institutions are built. It’s about recognizing that the Presidency represents the sovereignty of the Kenyan people. When we reduce the highest office in the land to a target for crude insults and constant, undignified berating, we don’t just demean the individual; we chip away at the dignity of the institution itself and, by extension, the nation it serves.
The Danger of Burning Bridges for Short-Term Gain
The call to “not burn this nation for selfish political gains” is urgent. Exploiting genuine public anger, stoking flames of hatred towards individuals, and normalizing disrespect as a political strategy might yield short-term advantages for some factions. But it comes at a catastrophic long-term cost. It deepens divisions, erodes social cohesion, and makes constructive governance incredibly difficult. A nation perpetually at war with itself, where leaders are treated as enemies rather than fellow citizens entrusted with a difficult job, cannot prosper. It creates an environment of instability that scares away investment, stifles development, and ultimately harms every single Kenyan.
The Path Forward: Demanding Accountability with Dignity
The energy and passion of Kenya’s youth are invaluable assets. Their demands for better governance, economic opportunity, and an end to corruption are legitimate and must be addressed with seriousness. However, the method matters profoundly.
- Focus on Policy, Not Personality: Channel the incredible mobilization power into specific, actionable policy demands and solutions. Hold leaders accountable for their actions and decisions.
- Utilize Democratic Institutions: Strengthen Parliament, the Judiciary, independent commissions, and the media as the primary arenas for accountability. Participate in them, reform them if needed, but use them.
- Demand Respectful Engagement: Expect leaders to engage respectfully with citizens, and model that respect even in fierce disagreement. Civility is not weakness; it’s the strength of a mature democracy.
- Build, Don’t Just Break: Critique is vital, but also propose, innovate, and engage in nation-building efforts. Offer alternatives, not just condemnation.
Reaping What We Sow
Kenya’s future greatness hinges not just on what we demand, but how we demand it. The relentless disrespect, the toxic discourse, the normalization of contempt for the Presidency – these are seeds that, if allowed to take root, will yield a bitter harvest of perpetual division and instability, regardless of who is in power.
We can honor the passion for change driving the youth while simultaneously upholding the respect due to the institutions and offices that define our republic. President Ruto’s patience offers an unexpected lesson: composure under fire is possible.
Let us demand accountability fiercely, but let us also demand it with the dignity and respect befitting a nation that aspires to unity and progress. For the Kenya we save from burning today is the Kenya we will all inhabit tomorrow.
Let’s build it on foundations of respect, robust debate, and unwavering commitment to our shared future, not on the ashes of contempt. Our tribal democracy must be replaced with issue-based politics.
