Acid test for Ruto as MPs plot rebellion

The President’s recent accusations and his subsequent setting up of a multi-agency anti-graft team, which the High Court swiftly suspended, have ignited fury across the political divide.

An MP, speaking in confidence, captured the resentment, saying the first signs of the bigger battle to come were evident on Wednesday.

“I am sure you have seen the effects already. You could see the speeches of everyone, from the Majority Leader to the Minority Leader. The sentiments have and will have a huge impact on his support.”

Members started by snubbing House sittings that morning before shooting down key motions that were in support of government operations.

On the day of Ruto’s remarks, every government-related bill was felled, including a critical circular from the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority that sought to enforce mandatory use of the e-procurement portal.

The rebellion extends beyond symbolic gestures.

A legislator revealed that the Speaker employed tactical manoeuvres to avoid a vote on the proposed sale of the  Kenya Pipeline Company, sensing the overwhelming opposition.

“The severity of the rebellion will be tested better when we come from recess,” the MP said, suggesting that the rift is far from healed, and that it would take time to mend the relationship between the two sides.

The core issue for the agitated lawmakers is not merely the allegations but the manner in which they were delivered by the President.

“If he had written to the Speaker, as provided for under the Standing Orders, the Speaker would have processed it. If he said it during his State of the Nation Address, that would be different. It was like calling MPs to unfairly read them the riot act. He treated MPs like schoolchildren,” the lawmaker added.

The perceived humiliation has united MPs across party lines, with many feeling lumped together with “rotten elements” in the public service.

The lawmakers believe that the suspected graft perpetrators should be individually pursued, rather than the august House being collectively maligned.

Political observers hold that the anti-corruption campaign presents a defining moment for the Ruto administration, arguing that the implications for his legislative agenda are profound.

MPs are the grassroots architects of his political support, mobilising and organising regional events that bolster his presence.

Their clout is instrumental in maintaining the President’s visibility and influence, particularly in rural strongholds.

Ruto has on numerous occasions presided over launches and commissioning of projects spearheaded by MPs under the CDF framework, giving him the much-needed touch with the people.

Without MPs' backing, pundits argue that Ruto’s ability to advance legacy-defining projects and policies stands a huge risk of being compromised.

Some MPs are already “buying time in wait for the 2027 whistle,” hinting at potential defections that could weaken the ruling coalition further.

This internal dissent poses a direct challenge to Ruto’s re-election ambition, especially amid the Gen Z protest cry of “wantam” – a slogan calling for voters to hand Ruto a single term in office.

However, not all lawmakers oppose the President’s stance.

Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi dismissed the backlash, asserting that, “When your parent corrects you, they do not stop being your parent.”

Similarly, Marakwet West MP Timothy Kipchumba argued that, “The President doesn’t speak in vain. He is the first consumer of intelligence. When he speaks, there must be some truth in it.”

Kipchumba called on Parliament to awaken from its slumber and exercise rigorous oversight over the Executive, rather than acting as its “choir”.

The House is divided, with some members viewing Ruto’s remarks as a wake-up call and others as an unforgivable affront. 

The debate on the floor on Wednesday revealed deeper frustrations of the lawmakers, expressing how they felt betrayed by a man they had stood by almost at the expense of their political future.

It began with lamentations by Tharaka MP Gitonga Murugara, chairman of the committee which handled the anti-money laundering law. The MPs were furious.

Wajir North MP Ibrahim Abdi said, “We have been behaving as if we are conveyor belts for the Executive,” citing coercion under the Political Parties Act to toe the party line.

While reflecting on past incidents where MPs have been relied upon to act on a matter, Ugenya MP David Ochieng questioned the President’s approach.

“If you are the President and you know those who are stealing, why don’t you arrest them? What does he want us to do? Are we police?

“I have been here long enough to know that every time we have a bipartisan initiative, this House suffers,” the MP added, citing the days of the Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga-led Building Bridges Initiative.

Others, like Kitutu Chache South MP Antony Kibagendi, acknowledged Parliament’s flaws but dismisses the “blanket condemnation” as “hypocritical and an affront to the very democratic institution that gives legitimacy to the presidency.”

“He has erred gravely in issuing a blanket condemnation of this august House.”

Wajir East MP Aden Daud said, “He has reminded us that we need to do our work. We have not been doing our work because we have been supporting the Executive”.

The rebellion occurs at a time Ruto’s government is grappling with widespread grumbles, led by Gen Z activists.

They have been for months mobilising via social media against economic hardship, police brutality, and corruption.

Ruto’s alliance with former opposition leader Raila Odinga has also caused sharp divisions among the partnering parties, with notable figures like Edwin Sifuna openly opposing any joint 2027 plans.

The events, which have had the effect of creating new political uncertainties, have also been cited as adding to the woes.

For some quarters, especially from among his estranged former DP Rigathi Gachagua's side, the President could be under pressure from external forces.

Critics argue the corruption allegations serve a dual purpose: appeasing international partners while weakening parliamentary oversight of controversial Executive initiatives.

They hold that the timing appears suspect, coming as Parliament is investigating claims of irregularities in the e-Citizen project and privatisation of state firms.

Political analysts say the President faces an acute dilemma and must balance his anti-corruption call, lest he alienates the very MPs whose support he needs to pass critical laws.

In the words of one MP, “It is not so much about the allegations but how he handled the whole thing”. The sentiment is said to have echoed far beyond the corridors of Parliament.

INSTANT ANALYSIS

With the multi-agency team suspended by courts and mounting parliamentary pushback, President Ruto faces his greatest leadership challenge. He has to demonstrate consistent political will against corruption and also balance diplomatic expediency and domestic political calculations. The President must navigate complex domestic politics while addressing legitimate governance concerns.