Over the past three days, Kenyans have witnessed unprecedented calls from close allies of President Ruto for the arrest of several known government critics over alleged incitement and hate speech.

The chorus appeared to hit a crescendo on Sunday when none other than Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen led the President’s foot soldiers in calling for the arrest of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Gachagua had last week issued a warning that if the President conspired with the electoral agency IEBC, to rig the 2027 General Election, the 2007 post-election violence would pale in comparison.

The merits and demerits of Gachagua’s statement aside, there have been concerns about an alleged scheme by President Ruto and his allies to install friendly IEBC commissioners with an eye on 2027, a claim that the Kenya Kwanza administration needs to address.

Kenya has witnessed a significant rise in hate speech and corruption over the years, both of which have been major stumbling blocks to its social and economic progress.

It is, therefore, commendable that the government has taken steps to address these issues head-on.

However, the biggest challenge is the politicisation of these critical issues. The government must ensure that the crackdown on hate speech and corruption is not weaponised for political gain, but executed impartially, justly, and with a focus on the greater good of the nation.

When the crackdown on hate speech and corruption is used as a tool to target political opponents or silence dissenting voices, the efforts would lose their credibility.

The impact is profound, creating an environment where the rule of law becomes subject to political whims and leads to selective enforcement.

Those in power have always been known to turn a blind eye to corruption and hate speech from their allies while ruthlessly targeting their opponents.

This leaves the public questioning the motives of such actions. Is the government truly interested in rooting out these vices, or is it merely trying to weaken the opposition?

The State must enforce the law equally and transparently, holding all perpetrators accountable regardless of their political affiliation.