Nairobi, Kenya, September 13, 2023
KENYA Kwanza’s first year in office brings to light a series of unfulfilled promises, a prevailing culture of impunity, a continuation of the campaign posture and the discordant governance experienced in the previous administration. Despite the initial efforts to rectify past governance errors, these attempts are overshadowed by deliberate constitutional violations, empty rhetoric, abuse of human rights and perpetuation of state demagoguery.
Corruption
Leading up to the 2022 general elections, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) publicly identified 245 potential candidates with pending graft cases. With Ruto being sworn in as president, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) withdrew the cases of certain individuals who were soon after appointed to public office, contrary to Kenya Kwanza’s pledge to uphold the rule of law. The ODPP provided an implausible explanation, asserting lack of evidence to pursue these cases. Corruption therefore remains at the core of this administration’s operations. Reports have also emerged indicating that the government has incurred massive financial losses amounting to billions of shillings through various scandals, spanning from the National Health Insurance Fund to the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA).
Capture of Independent Offices
Kenya Kwanza promised to institutionalize political parties and depersonalize and depoliticize state institutions including state institutions. The regime has an insatiable appetite to capture political parties and independent commissions and offices contrary to Art 250 of the constitution. A case of point is the president attack on the role of the National Land Commission (NLC) on valuation and compulsory acquisition of land contrary to the provisions of the constitution and the Land Act 2012. The regime interfered with the appointment of the Inspector General of Police, the Directorate of Criminal Investigation and created many illegal offices.
