How Betrayal Lurks in Kenyan Politics

Since independence, Kenyan politics adopted betrayal as its face. There has been countless alliances that are broken as easily as they are made. Kenyans are used to broken political marriages, new unions and the pain that accompanies both.

Betrayal’s Deep Roots

In the past three decades, Kenyan politics have taken root in betrayal. This traces back to independence days during formation of the first political parties, KANU and KADU. The first crisis was born by betrayal. The First President Jomo Kenyatta and the then vice President Jaramogi Oginga were the first players in this hereditary game. The fallout was great, and its effects are still evident today.

A few years later, The Second President Daniel Moi took over after Kenyatta’s death. However, four years later he experienced a coup that saw him lose control of the government for a few hours. Thanks to loyal soldiers, he regained control amidst huge resistance. Betrayal had shown its ugly face again. History has it that after this, Moi was never the same again.

Modern Day Betrayal

Fast forward to 2000, President Kibaki and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga united to clinch the Presidency from Moi. He  was since pressing for Kenyatta’s son Uhuru to succeed him. Kibaki and Odinga formed the NARC, a coalition that was strong enough to land Kibaki to the highly envied seat. However, a year later, betrayal was again doing its thing. Kibaki denounced Odinga, in an ugly scene that led to a huge political fallout in the country. The country later plunged into chaos in five years  after highly disputed presidential elections.  Consequently, scores of people lost their lives and many others became IDP’s.

After acquisition of a constitution in 2010, a new hope for Kenya rose. Many hoped that this constitution would solve the recurrent Kenyan political crises. In the 2013 elections, President Uhuru united with DP Ruto to form the Jubilee alliance that landed them to the statehouse.

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However, the same old song of betrayal is currently hitting the speakers. President Uhuru had promised to support his DP Ruto in his bid for presidency in 2022. However, this seems to not be the case. The President has totally refused to comment on anything amounting to keeping his promise. On the other hand, he has made steps which seem to be pushing Ruto further from the government which they both formed.

While betrayal shall surely continue being experienced in this country, Kenyans have to realize that they are the least considered when it comes to power brokering and political alliances that are made and broken after every election.