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…
Author: By Michael Ndonye
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…