Lawyer Willis Otieno has said Kenyans do not need to hold public office before they can scrutinise government, question leaders, or participate in political debate

In a post shared on his X account on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, Otieno argued that the merit of an idea should not be determined by the position held by the person expressing it

“By that logic, constitutional lawyers shouldn’t interpret the Constitution unless they’ve been President. Economists shouldn’t analyse the economy unless they’ve been Cabinet Secretaries. Journalists shouldn’t question government unless they’ve held elective office,” he said.

Democracy protects public participation

Otieno further said democracy does not require citizens to first win elections before they can engage in public affairs or hold leaders accountable

“Democracy doesn’t work that way,” he said

He added that the Constitution guarantees every Kenyan the right to participate in public affairs, scrutinise leaders and express political opinions without first seeking elective office

Ideas judged on merit

The lawyer also said public debate should focus on the strength of ideas rather than the titles or positions held by those expressing them

“Ideas are judged by their merit, not by the title of the person expressing them,” Otieno said

His remarks come amid growing political debate in Kenya, with public figures, lawyers, activists and citizens increasingly engaging in discussions on governance, accountability and the performance of the government

Accountability remains central

Otieno has previously warned that unconstitutional acts and abuse of power would eventually face accountability, arguing that impunity does not last forever

In June, he said the Constitution had a long memory and that unlawful acts would eventually face scrutiny regardless of changes in government or the individuals holding public office

“Governments change. Orders expire. But the law has a long memory, and accountability has an even longer one,” he said in an earlier post

He also maintained that every unlawful act leaves a trail and that victims of abuse deserve justice

Otieno’s latest remarks reinforce his call for citizens to remain active participants in governance and to exercise their constitutional right to question those entrusted with public power regardless of whether they hold political office.