This archive report was first published on 10 May 2020.
Published on May 10, 2020, by Makau Mutua, SUNY Distinguished Professor at SUNY Buffalo Law School and Chair of KHRC.
Deputy President William Ruto's fate is in the hands of President Uhuru Kenyatta, and it's a decision that will shape Kenya's future. The question on everyone's mind is: will Uhuru impeach, charge, or make way for Ruto to succeed him?
As the 2022 elections draw near, the tension between the two leaders is palpable. Ruto's supporters are eager to see him ascend to the presidency, while Uhuru's camp is determined to maintain their grip on power. The situation is reminiscent of the classic novel 'Things Fall Apart,' where the 'falcon cannot hear the falconer' because 'things fall apart,' and the 'centre cannot hold' for 'mere anarchy is loosed upon the world.'
Uhuru's disdain for Ruto is evident, and it's clear that he has no intention of handing over power to his deputy. The math is difficult for Ruto, as he needs to be 'made' president, rather than making himself president. This is a stark reality that Ruto needs to confront.
It's time for Uhuru to take decisive action and either impeach Ruto or charge him with his many scandals. If not, he risks leaving the door open for a Ruto presidency, which would be a disaster for Kenya. The country can't live with two centres of power until 2022, and something must give.
Uhuru needs to strip Ruto's hirelings, like Senate Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen, of their positions and trappings of power. It's time for Kenya to be greater than any one person, and for Uhuru and Ruto to stop subjecting us to a daily charade of palace intrigues.
One of them needs to go for broke, and power concedes nothing without a demand. We shouldn't be putty in their hands, and we need our freedom from the Kenyatta-Ruto war of supremacy. They should fish, or cut bait. We are tired – tumechoka.
