Kenyan news and politics has been dominated over the last 48 hours or so by the troubles of former Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya and Sports CS Ababu Namwamba, both hailing from the Mulembe nation.
Actually the troubles of those two individuals on opposite sides of the political divide are closely linked and intertwined and yet another confirmation that in the Ruto administration we are back to the Moi days.
Moi, a man who took the helm of a nation grappling with the aftershocks of Jomo Kenyatta's autocratic reign, managed to stay in power for a staggering 24 years using a little secret that has now been implemented by UDA.
In those days with KANU as the only party, dissent was not only discouraged but actively suppressed. Moi's government was notorious for its ruthless crackdowns on anyone perceived as a threat, be it opposition leaders, activists, or even journalists. In a climate of fear and apprehension, who would dare to raise a voice?
"Under Moi, the political space was constricted to the point where any form of dissent was considered treachery," - Maina Kiai, Kenyan human rights activist.
Manipulation of Ethnic Tensions
Moreover, Moi cleverly manipulated the ethnic tensions that have long plagued Kenya's political landscape. By favouring his Kalenjin tribe and other minority groups, he kept the larger Kikuyu Luhya and Luo communities at bay, thereby reducing the likelihood of a serious challenge to his rule. But at what cost did this divide-and-conquer strategy come to the Kenyan people?
Now a form of that kind of manipulation has come back as is confirmed by the Oparanya arrest and the call for Ababu Namwamba's resignation. Here's how...
How Ruto is copy pasting the Moi Rule book hence Oparanya and Namwamba troubles: A Glimpse into the Past
As we revisit the corridors of history, we come face to face with a political milieu that was characterised by a singularly pervasive phenomenon - the rule of the late President Daniel Toroitich arap Moi. The reign of Moi, a period spanning twenty-four years, was marked by a unique political culture, one where the president's community could, and often did, wield its influence to bully other political figures.
Shadows of the Past
It is this, perhaps unsavoury, aspect of Moi's regime that appears to be re-emerging in our present-day political landscape. Are we witnessing a revival of these old tactics under the leadership of Deputy President William Ruto? Is this a case of history repeating itself, or merely a political strategy being repackaged for a new era?
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” - George Santayana
The Problems of Oparanya and Namwamba
Consider the current political turmoil surrounding the likes of Wycliffe Oparanya and Ababu Namwamba. Both politicians, despite their significant contributions and positioning in the political arena, are finding themselves at the receiving end of what seems to be a concerted effort to undermine and marginalise them.
Could it be that we are witnessing a return to the heavy-handed tactics of the Moi-era? Is Ruto orchestrating a throwback to an old playbook, one which seems to echo the political manoeuvres of Moi's rule?
Questioning the Status Quo
While it is essential to remember that history often has a way of repeating itself, it is equally important to question the status quo and critically examine the possible motivations behind such actions. Is this resurgence of Moi-like tactics a deliberate strategy on Ruto's part, or is it merely a coincidence, born out of situational necessity?
As observers, it is our responsibility to remain vigilant, to question, to hypothesise, and to seek out the truth behind the political machinations that shape our society. Don't miss: Deadly petty Moi book politics nails Oparanya and Ababu but boomerangs back to UDA
