Kenya's Descent into Lawlessness: The Erosion of Rule of Law under William Ruto's Reign

In the annals of Kenya's political theatre, the rise of William Ruto ushered in an era marred by the erosion of fundamental principles, where the once-sturdy pillars of justice and the rule of law crumble under the weight of selective justice and brazen impunity. Two recent episodes on Kenya's roads serve as poignant vignettes, reflecting a society careening towards lawlessness, with impunity as its unwelcome companion.

The incident involving Nominated Senator Karen Nyamu, a brazen display of disdain for traffic regulations and societal norms, epitomises the wanton disregard for the rule of law that has become all too common. With audacious nonchalance, Nyamu's self recorded escapade, instructing her driver to flout traffic rules with impunity, speaks volumes about the culture of entitlement that pervades Kenya's political elite under Ruto's tenure.

But what truly beggars belief is not the act itself, but the deafening silence from authorities, the glaring absence of consequences for such egregious behaviour. In a nation where the scales of justice should be blind, where the law should apply equally to all, the impunity enjoyed by Nyamu serves as a chilling reminder of the decay of moral authority within Kenya's corridors of power.

Fast forward to the present, and the spectacle of the CS for Roads and Transport, Kipchumba Murkomen, venting his spleen on social media over a trivial prank underscores the grotesque double standards at play. The selective outrage, the arbitrary application of justice, further underscores the erosion of the rule of law under Ruto's watch.

Mr. James Gathogo Njeri this is how your car white Mercedes Benz KCX 959B class E-250 was being driven on Mombasa road in one of those “where is the Minister” moments. We are concerned and a responsible citizen has alerted us. We shall do what we must. pic.twitter.com/OmYcrGpEGT

— KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN, E.G.H (@kipmurkomen) April 22, 2024

Indeed, Murkomen's X tirade exposes the fault lines within Kenya's justice system, where the powerful enjoy immunity while the powerless bear the brunt of arbitrary enforcement. The glaring disparity in treatment not only undermines the fabric of justice but also erodes public trust in the institutions meant to uphold it.

Kenya's descent into lawlessness under Ruto's tenure serves as a sobering reminder of the fragility of democracy and the importance of robust institutions. The citizenry must remain vigilant in safeguarding the rule of law, holding their leaders accountable, and demanding transparency and accountability in governance. For in the absence of justice, a nation drifts further from its democratic ideals, risking the very foundation upon which its future rests.