Opinion: Ruto – Better to come slow and correct…

Ruto received a congratulatory message from Moroccan King His Majesty King Mohammed VI. Kenya rescinded its recognition of Western Sahara and orders the shutdown of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic’s representative office in Kenya. He indicated support 4 UN-induced statehood” (The Daily Jubba, 14.09.2022).

It isn’t more than a day since President William Ruto has been sworn-in. Yesterday was the day of honour and procedure, as Ruto was starting his term as Kenyan President. Today, the reality of his office is starting. Now he has to take control, decisions and appoint the right people to office. He has to collectively find the rights persons for the Cabinet Secretaries and other vital roles of the State.

That’s why Ruto should use this time with caution. It will do no good to be brash, swift and without care. The President should slow down and recollect. He should envision and plan things ahead. With the people he trust and with the counsels that can advice properly.

Because, today we saw a rash act, which can easily get diplomatic trouble. Not that it can create a war or more conflict. No, but it can hurt interests on all sides. The Kingdom of Morocco might be happy with the progress. The King of Morocco got a diplomatic victory. While the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic or the annexed Western Sahara government feels betrayed. What is even more striking was the SADR President Brahim Ghaliat even was at Kasarani stadium yesterday.

As a President, Ruto needs to consider his steps and how he operates. He isn’t in opposition or without power. Now his word has a value and he can purposely change dynamics. Yes, as the Deputy President and as a Cabinet Secretary, Ruto has had this too. However, now it’s even more prestige and pressure on his name. His words are even more powerful and meaningful. That’s why he should use that with caution.

President Ruto can by quickly tweeting in favour of the Moroccan ambassador dismiss the cause of the SADR. Even if that wasn’t the case and play along to the tune of the Kingdom. In that fashion his showing diplomatic weight behind the King of Morocco and disregarding the President Ghaliat. Therefore, he should walk slowly and not try to run to fast.

President Ruto might not even know how Algeria has invested in this and worked for the liberation of SADR. The way and the long liberation war of the Polisario Frente either. There are many things at play and not only the word of the King. No, there is more at stake and Ruto should have advisers on his side to give him proper counsel before revoking or rescinding diplomatic ties. This could have other implications, which he cannot phantom right now.

Yes, Ruto deleted the Tweet, but the news is out there. The cat is out of bag and he ran to the finish line a bit too fast. That’s why he should take things slow and configure the message before its spread. Especially, in concern to foreign affairs and in order to diplomatic missions as well. This has to be played wisely and not just with a snap of a finger.

That’s when things backfires and he can look stupid. Ruto can become humiliated and look foolish. A President don’t want that… and no Head of State wants to be taken for a fool. That’s why my advice to him… is to take it slow and grow into the role. No need to speed-walk or run a marathon. There is enough decisions to take and enough scandals to arrive on his desk. Therefore, he should recollect and smell the coffee.

Instead, he has already created a farce and it could have been avoided, easily. Peace.

Kenya: Raila Odinga Presidential Secretariat – Re: Invitation to H.E. William Ruto’s Inauguration (12.09.2022)

Kenya: The Judiciary – Sponsored Sustained Attack on the Supreme Court on Social Media (12.09.2022)

Kenya: Raila Odinga Presidential Secretariat – Press Statement (11.09.2022)

Kenya: CS Fred Matiang’i farewell letter (09.09.2022)

Kenya: County Government of Kisumu – Office of the Governor – Message from the Governor to all MCAs in the Kisumu County Assembly (07.09.2022)

Kenya: Elections Observation Group (ELOG) – Press Release (06.09.2022)

Kenya Christian Professionals Forum (KCPF) – Press Statement on the 2022 General Elections and the Outcome of the Election Petition at the Supreme Court of Kenya (06.09.2022)

Opinion: Kenyatta has disrespected the Courts before…

The ones who was hearing the speech of outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta shouldn’t be surprised that he doesn’t care much for the Supreme Court. The same man called it a Coup d’Etat when it did overturn or rule in favour of Raila Odinga in 2017 Presidential Election Petition. That’s why the state held a second Presidential Election that year before he was sworn into a second term. Therefore, we know he despise the Courts.

Kenyatta is a man who has defied Court Orders. He hasn’t favoured the Judiciary or cared much for it. The independence of the Judiciary has blocked his legislation or important parts of his governing. The Courts has really created trouble for him and that’s because Kenyatta haven’t cared to follow protocol or do it after the 2010 Constitution.

So, when I heard he questioned the Supreme Court ruling today. It follows a pattern. Just like Miguna Miguna is still in Canada. Even after he won the rights to return back to Kenya in the Courts. That’s the sort of rule Kenyatta has aspired too and how he cares about the Courts.

What was most striking in his 7 minutes address was this:

For this is the civic duty of every single Kenyan. In particular, this civic duty requires every citizen to constantly put the truth presented by our constitutional institutions to test. And they must test them for coherence but also for correspondence. They must constantly scrutinize the coherence of the truth given by these institutions and to ask themselves whether the truth has been coherent from one election to another. Has there been a consistent pattern that is acceptable toward democratic ethos? We must ask ourselves is it about numbers or is it about process? Which of these two is it? And can our institutions rule one way in one election and another way in another election without scrutiny? I do invite you Kenyans to keep vigil and, indeed, hold all institutions to account. The second thing we must place under scrutiny is whether the truth given by institutions has correspondence – that is, do the truths given by our institutions correspond with what is observable by the citizens. True beliefs and true judgments must correspond to the actual state of affairs. But do our constitutional institutions meet this threshold? While we must appreciate these institutions, we must also hold them to account at every juncture and their truth has to be consistent and coherent. This is the only way we will build our democracy” (Uhuru Kenyatta, 05.09.2022).

No one should be shocked or in awe by this. Neither should anyone be worried that Kenyatta didn’t congratulate President-Elect William Ruto. Well, Kenyatta wanted his heir to win and that wasn’t happening. Neither did the Azimio prove that there was rigging going on or had evidence or proof, which proved that there. Therefore, Kenyatta has is now questioning the Supreme Court in 2022.

No one should be concerned by this. Especially when Kenyatta dismissed the Supreme Court for their judgment in 2017. We all know he did that back-then and no again the same Court gave an unfavourable ruling, yet again. Kenyatta is showing his disdain and throws the insinuation of doubts. Because it didn’t go in his favour.

We know Kenyatta is sad that the BBI was dismissed and other rulings has gone against him. That’s why we know the man isn’t the sort of fellow who loves or praises the Courts. He prefers getting it his way and the Supreme Court isn’t the place for that. This is why he speaks like this.

That he dismiss and is disgruntled over the Supreme Court judgment isn’t anything new. If he was himself on the ballot. He would have called this a putsch or a coup d’etat. Uhuru Kenyatta is just himself and it’s far from revolutionary… but more reactionary, which is what his know for. Peace.

Kenya: Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) – Verdict of the Supreme Court on the Presidential Election (05.09.2022)