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Government and Policy

How William Ruto’s Tribal Appointments Are Poisoning Kenya’s Future And Violating Laws That Demand Equality

BY Steve Biko · October 12, 2024 06:10 pm

KEY POINTS

According to KNBS, recent state appointments under Ruto’s administration reflect a troubling skew, with certain tribes grossly overrepresented. This trend spits in the face of the principles of inclusivity and non-discrimination embedded in Articles 10 and 232 of our Constitution. Imagine a Kenyan of Luo, Luhya, or Mijikenda descent aspiring for a national position.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Section 232 of our Constitution demands fair competition and merit in public appointments. Yet, with each appointment, Ruto seems to mock this law. By conferring privileges on those he considers “his own,” he has not only disregarded but trampled upon the foundation of national unity.

In a country as diverse as Kenya, the fabric of unity must be woven carefully with threads from all corners of our 44 tribes. Yet, William Ruto’s latest appointments, such as that of Joseph Kipchumba Lagat as Chairperson of the National Mining Corporation, are nothing short of an affront to our collective identity.

It is as if the President is carving out a Kenya for his kin alone, disregarding the rest like dispensable extras in the grand scheme of governance. This favoritism, masked as leadership, is not only morally questionable but also a blatant violation of Kenya’s constitution and legal frameworks that demand fairness in public service appointments.

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Every Kenyan child learns about the principles of equity and diversity, but the government’s example tells a different tale. With each new Gazette notice, Ruto tightens his grip on key positions through appointments dominated by his own Kalenjin tribe. The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) data reveals a staggering tilt towards appointees from Rift Valley, reflecting a growing menace: tribalism and nepotism running unchecked in the highest office of the land. This dangerous trend, if left unchallenged, will turn Kenya’s public service into a tribal fortress rather than a mirror of our national diversity.

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Section 232 of our Constitution demands fair competition and merit in public appointments. Yet, with each appointment, Ruto seems to mock this law. By conferring privileges on those he considers “his own,” he has not only disregarded but trampled upon the foundation of national unity. It’s as if he has taken an ancient saying to heart: “Only a fool dances in the rain with those he does not trust to shield him.” However, the truth he seems to ignore is that a leader serves all, not just a select few.

This pattern is evident not only in the National Mining Corporation but across various parastatals and ministries, where tribal representation reads like a family tree, largely rooted in Ruto’s soil. One wonders if qualifications and experience even matter anymore or if tribal lineage is the only credential that counts. For the average Kenyan, this signals a future where opportunities are bound by ethnicity, where only certain tribes rise, while the rest look on from the sidelines, disenfranchised and disillusioned.

According to KNBS, recent state appointments under Ruto’s administration reflect a troubling skew, with certain tribes grossly overrepresented. This trend spits in the face of the principles of inclusivity and non-discrimination embedded in Articles 10 and 232 of our Constitution. Imagine a Kenyan of Luo, Luhya, or Mijikenda descent aspiring for a national position. In Ruto’s Kenya, such aspirations are akin to casting seeds on barren ground. Yet, his loyalists argue that it’s “just coincidence”—a laughable defense in the face of the glaring evidence.

What’s more alarming is the silent acceptance, a quiet nod to nepotism that echoes across our national discourse. It’s high time Kenyans rise and demand balanced representation. “A frog does not drink up the pond in which it lives,” goes an ancient proverb, reminding us that to exploit one’s surroundings is to endanger one’s own existence. Ruto’s actions are leading us towards a dangerous precipice, and if we fail to speak up, we may find ourselves clinging to the fragments of a shattered Kenya.

The implications are not just administrative; they are a direct threat to our social cohesion. By making the corridors of power inaccessible to large sections of the Kenyan populace, Ruto is sowing seeds of resentment and distrust. Kenyans are watching as one tribe reaps while others starve, metaphorically speaking. And, like a brewing storm, this disenfranchisement could lead to unrest and division. As the old African saying goes, “The child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth.”

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Ruto’s actions aren’t just a reflection of poor judgment; they are a contravention of the law. Article 73 of the Constitution demands that state officers conduct themselves with dignity and impartiality, qualities that are absent in this regime of favoritism. By ignoring these guidelines, Ruto shows his disdain for the law and the people it’s meant to protect. As Kenyans, we must stand up and demand accountability, for as the saying goes, “A river that forgets its source will dry up.” Ruto’s leadership, if untethered from constitutional principles, risks drying up the well of national unity.

Furthermore, the economic implications of this tribal bias are profound. When government positions are monopolized by one tribe, public resources are misallocated, regional development becomes lopsided, and the economy suffers. Projects that could benefit marginalized regions are deprioritized. This is not just a tribal issue; it’s an economic strategy that cripples the growth of a nation. KNBS data shows stark disparities in regional development, and it’s not hard to draw a line between Ruto’s appointments and these inequities.

In the court of public opinion, Ruto’s leadership is already on trial. Social media is rife with criticisms and calls for action, with Kenyans demanding a rebalancing of state appointments. It’s high time we take this demand from social media to the halls of justice. The courts must hold Ruto accountable, forcing him to answer for these violations of the Constitution. If a leader cannot serve all his people equally, he has no business leading.

As we survey this nepotistic landscape, it’s clear that Ruto’s Kenya is a far cry from the democratic ideal we fought for. Tribalism corrodes the very foundation of our republic, eating away at the trust and unity that hold us together. We are reminded of an old Kenyan saying, “When the drumbeat changes, so must the dance.” If Ruto continues to drum to the beat of tribalism, Kenyans must rise and change the dance by calling for reforms and, if necessary, legal action to protect our republic.

For too long, Kenyans have watched leaders abuse their positions, but Ruto’s actions have set a new precedent in arrogance. His administration seems to believe that power, once acquired, is limitless and answerable to none. Yet, as history shows, power built on exclusion is brittle and doomed to collapse. For, in the end, even the mightiest tree falls if it’s rooted in rot.

Read Also: Why Kenya Should Take The Path Of Positive Tribalism

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