SAM'S SENSE: Between 'Wantam' and 'Tutam'

But the campaigns are already heated. Source of the heat? A war of words between those who believe in two terms for President William Ruto, versus those who believe he doesn’t deserve an extra day in office post the 10th of August 2027. And the face of that wing is Rigathi Gachagua, Ruto’s former deputy.

When you scroll across the social media you will see people easily triggered, individuals settling scores that are rooted in Tutam vs Wantam.

Now everything is reduced to the simplistic reference of Ruto vs Gachagua. 

When you ask a question about the performance of the Social Health Authority, it must be weighed against the prism of Ruto vs Gachagua.

When you ask about the success or failure of Grade 10 transition under the national education system, there is a political viewfinder: Are you Ruto’s or Gachagua’s?

When analyzing the National Infrastructure Fund that has just had its inaugural council gazetted; there is a sorting mechanism – are you speaking from Ruto’s perspective or Gachagua’s.

And when you are counting the public debt that has now crossed the 12.5 trillion shilling mark, you must have an agenda, but first, for Gachagua or Ruto?

Should you have questions about the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway to Malaba, you probably support Gachagua because as far as Ruto’s perspective is concerned, this is inclusive development.

And then there are those who like to ask for details about every other government initiative. Before we think about what they are saying, let’s get the status update first: Ruto or Gachagua?

But Kenyans, let's stop being so simplistic. calling out government doesn not make you pro-Gachagua. It is possible to assess things based on merit.

On Tuesday night, I spent an evening with education stakeholders in Makueni County. Young students were asking questions that matter to them. One asked how the Competency Based Education system is expected to grant her career aspiration of aviation when in her school there is no teacher or aviation facility.

Another asked when her time comes to join university, what will be the cut-off points to enroll in her chosen pathway. They got no specific answers, but their questions were and still are valid. It didn’t matter their political persuasion or that of their parents. 

Their future needs answers and they are not afraid to ask the adults in the room, whether they have answers or not. 

And so when questions are raised and discussions held, we cannot reduce everything to the limiting context of politics.

Surely, God cannot have created a whole 50 million of us to only be guided by the thoughts and interests of two individuals.

Millions of Kenyans have been educated since independence. It cannot be that they did all this so that they could analyse societal problems based on two political factions.

We must refuse to be balkanized to the dichotomous way of looking at things. Whether political leaders take us for fools or brainless, Kenyans cannot accept to be boxed into that.

When you go to a hospital and they tell you that SHA does not cover certain admissions, procedures or whatever need you may have for yourself or a loved one, you will realize that your stand on Ruto vs Gachagua doesn’’t help. 

And as Kenyans especially the younger generation trade barbs, hurl insults and compete on the narrative hoping to catch the attention of the political masters, please, have some value for the school fees that your family or community raised to get you to school. It must count for something. Don’t let the politics of the day fool you.

You know why? Once upon a time, Uhuru Kenyatta ran and lost against Mwai Kibaki. And then Kenyatta backed Kibaki against Odinga. Kibaki carried the day, but circumstances forced him to work with Odinga.

And then Kenyatta backed by Ruto ran against Odinga. And UhuRuto carried the day, two times. It wasn’t long before Kenyatta and Odinga made up, and UhuRuto split, bitterly. Then Kenyatta supported Odinga, but lost to Ruto working with Gachagua.

And then Gachagua fell out with Ruto. Ruto reached out to Odinga and the broadbased government was born.

And here you are, stretching your emotions, losing sleep and peace of mind for politics of the day. 

And to politicians, there is no suspension of thinking abilities just by choosing a side. It is purely your choice and probably you should begin with a caveat, that because of your allegiance, thinking is suspended. 

Should this piece make you jittery, this sense is good for you.

That’s my sense tonight.