Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka during a political rally. [File, Standard] For the cause of freedom, Raila Odinga stood tall. In his bravery, he gave his all. Yet death, ever cruel, denied him the chance to settle all the political debts he carried, especially the political debt owed to Kalonzo Musyoka, who had stood with him since 2013. Baba departed last week and took with him Kalonzo’s debt to the Sheol. But in his absence, William Ruto remains holding the political ‘will’ to settle the debt. It is in this spirit that we call upon Kalonzo to meet Ruto ‘behind the…
Author: By Michael Ndonye
Former Interior CS Fred Matiangi at the Jubilee National Delegation Convention on 26 September 2025. [David Gichuru, Standard] Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party is no longer merely participating in opposition politics; it is actively contesting the soul of it. The recent claim by Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah that Rigathi Gachagua is bullying Fred Matiang’i and sidelining him during opposition meetings signals a strategic distancing. Jubilee is unlikely to align with Mr Gachagua in 2027, and the reasons are becoming increasingly visible. .fade-out-overlay { position: absolute; top: -80px; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 60px; z-index: 1; background: linear-gradient(to bottom, rgba(255, 255,…
President William Ruto lays the foundation stone for the construction of Maua Modern Market in Meru County, on April 2, 2025. [File, Standard] I know this line of thinking may unsettle many. Still, it would be intellectually dishonest of me, as a public thinker, to use this column solely to set an agenda of consistently vilifying the current regime. You may ask: Is shooting and killing citizens the right path? What about overtaxing Kenyans? What about the entrenched systemic corruption? What about the misuse of public funds and the indifference we are experiencing under Kenya Kwanza leadership? Right path ango’wa?…
Police officers guard ballot boxes containing presidential ballot papers from Jomvu polling station in Mombasa. [File, Standard] Hoping for a perfect president in Kenya, it seems, is like waiting for Godot. Godot is a character in Samuel Beckett’s play, Waiting for Godot, in which two men wait endlessly for a person who never arrives. Although they are persistent and patient, they ultimately become disappointed. This is a metaphor that aptly captures the Kenyan electorate’s perennial yearning for a perfect president: A visionary leader who will deliver prosperity, justice, and unity. Yet, for over six decades of independence, such a figure has…
Youths light candles in honour of victims of the Gen Z protests, in Nakuru, on June 25, 2025. [Caroline Chebet, Standard] President William Ruto must speak Gen Z’s language if he wants to rule peacefully and legitimately in their time. The nationwide Gen Z-led protests we saw ON Wednesday should serve as a wake-up call for Dr Ruto and his administration. The demonstrations, organised to commemorate the tragic events of June 25, 2024, when scores of young protesters were killed during the anti–Finance Bill demos, are not isolated acts of dissent. The demos represent the birth of a generational movement…
Those familiar with my political philosophy know that I am not a political puritan. Political puritans demand strict adherence to ideological principles, often rejecting compromise or pragmatism in governance. However, in the real world, politics is far from pure. It is a battlefield of negotiation, competing interests, shifting power dynamics, and inevitable compromise. The ideals of transparency, integrity, and ethical governance are admirable, but they often remain elusive. /* Container styling */ .fade-out-overlay { position: absolute; top: -80px; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 60px; z-index: 1; background: linear-gradient(to bottom, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0), rgba(255, 255, 255, 1)); } .paywall-container { position:…
Deputy President Prof Kithure Kindiki and Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Ruku Consult the DP Lead Kenya Kwanza leaders in a worship and Thanksgiving service at the Full Gospel Church Kamumu in Mbeere North, Embu County. The service was held at Karuari Primary School Grounds. January 5, 2025. [Murithi Mugo, Standard] Sophocles, the ancient Greek tragedian, once observed, ‘Trust dies but mistrust blossoms.’ His words encapsulate the destructive power of deception and the inevitable collapse that follows when trust is eroded. This principle is equally weighty in politics—once mistrust takes root, it weakens leadership and destabilises governance. Nowhere is this more evident than in President…
Former Deputy president Rigathi Gachagua,accompanied by Kiambu senator Paul Thangwa,Nyandarua senator John Methu,Cleopas Malala and Naivasha MP Jane Kihara and other leaders address the media at Karen Hospital after visiting Juja MP George Koimburi who is admitted after he was allegedly abducted and tortured. [Benard Orwongo, Standard] After the 2007-2008 post-election violence, the Kikuyu and Kalenjin leaders came together to promote peace, urging their people to focus on shared interests rather than political divisions. These community elders held joint meetings, reminding their youth that their livelihoods—farming, trade, and education—depended on stability. Their efforts helped prevent clashes, proving that Kenya remains stable…
President William Ruto and his Deputy Kithure Kindiki during the 22nd National Prayer Breakfast at Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi. May 28th,2025 [Elvis Ogina, Standard] *The following opinion piece was written by Dr Michael Ndonye is a senior lecturer at Kabarak University’s Department of Mass Communication* Get Trusted News for Only Ksh99 a Week Subscribe Today & Save! Get Started Unlimited access to all premium content Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience Mobile-optimized reading experience Weekly Newsletters Already a subscriber? Log in President William Ruto and his Deputy Kithure Kindiki during the 22nd National Prayer Breakfast at Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi. May 28th,2025…
Farouk Kibet and Dennis itumbi. [File Courtesy, Standard] Recently, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua decried the influence and power that Farouk Kibet and Dennis Itumbi hold in President William Ruto’s administration. Against the chagrin of many Kenyans, let us understand that no president can rely solely on ministers or, in Kenya’s case, cabinet secretaries for advice on matters involving executive or discretionary powers. These powers, ranging from executive orders, appointments, and pardons to diplomatic relations, often extend to unwritten prerogatives. The Head of State sometimes requires informal consultation to make critical decisions. Managing dissenters and curbing the ambitions of those…
Former Chief Justice David Maraga. [Wilberforce Okwiri, Standard] Kenya’s Retired Chief Justice David Maraga has emerged as a potential candidate for the presidency in 2027. While his candidacy may position him as a fringe contender, it is worth noting that any individual who effectively presents themselves well can ascend to the presidency in the current political climate. Currently, the most significant chunk of voters are millennials and Gen Zs. Their political behaviour, drawing from their social behaviour, differs from the politics of the former generations. This generation can make anyone their leader—it is a trend that can be observed from…
President William Ruto joins traditional dancers at Ngarachi in Laikipia West during the beginning of his tour of the Mt. Kenya region on April 1, 2025. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard] The reception that President Ruto has received in the Mount Kenya region this week has sparked widespread interest. Some Kenyans, driven by ill will, had hoped for hostility, fueled by narratives suggesting that the President had ‘punished’ the region by allegedly orchestrating Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s removal from office through Parliament. These sentiments were also amplified by the political campaigns that Gachagua has been conducting in the region. However, the…