The recent clashes at public forums discussing the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua were a disgraceful stain on Kenya’s image as a young democratic nation whose citizens respect the legitimacy of legal political processes.
Political discourse should be peaceful, and we vehemently condemn the violence that has erupted in some parts of the country.
The scenes witnessed at the Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi last week, where chairs were hurled across the auditorium, and the clashes between police and protesters in Nyeri county, are not just disturbing – they are a betrayal of the very principles of democracy that we claim to uphold. These violent acts serve no purpose except to intimidate, silence and divide us further.
While we acknowledge that disagreement is the lifeblood of democracy, the impeachment process – whether one supports it or not – is a constitutional mechanism designed to hold our leaders accountable. But when debate degenerates into physical confrontation, we all lose.
The physical attacks on activist Morara Kebaso and the forceful ejection of dissenters from community halls are not signs of a healthy democracy but symptoms of an immature political culture.
It is particularly troubling to see supporters of the President and those of the Deputy President engaging in such abominable behaviour. These leaders were elected on a joint ticket, promising unity and progress. Instead, their followers are now at each other’s throats, threatening the nation’s stability.
The claim that “there would be no President if his deputy is impeached” is not only a misguided interpretation of the way our political system should work but also a dangerous sentiment that undermines constitutional order. Such rhetoric only serves to inflame tensions and must be rejected outright.
As we approach the debate in the National Assembly on Tuesday, cooler heads must prevail. The merits of the impeachment motion should be debated vigorously but peacefully. Lawmakers must lead by example – they must strongly condemn violence and call for calm among their supporters.
In our fragile democracy, each outburst of violence chips away at the foundation we have worked hard to build over decades. We cannot allow political differences to degenerate into tribal animosities or personal vendettas.
Let us engage in civil discourse, respect the rule of law and trust in our democratic institutions to guide us through this challenging period. Long after the Senate trial is over, history will judge us not by the outcome of the process, but by how we conduct ourselves as it unfolds.