Former Charangany MP Kipruto Arap Kirwa has warned that Kenya is grappling with growing distrust, ethnic divisions, and strains in governance that could push the nation toward a crisis.
He said unresolved post-election grievances and ongoing political rivalries have deepened these divisions, calling for a genuine national healing process.
Speaking on Radio Generation on Wednesday, Kirwa described a country struggling with institutional conflicts and increasing political anxiety.
“Things are not okay,” he said, highlighting “fighting with senators, legislators not understanding their role, the executive poking their nose into legislative,” alongside frequent political rallies and incidents of citizens being shot.
While acknowledging that Kenya has often avoided full-blown crises, Kirwa argued that suspicion and lack of trust have become entrenched in the country’s political culture. He stressed that ethnicity continues to influence political thinking and actions despite claims of national unity.
“We are still ethnic in our thinking, we are still ethnic in our operations, and we seem to suspect each other on the basis of ethnicity,” he observed.
Kirwa traced the roots of mistrust back to the aftermath of the 2007 post-election violence and the political rapprochement that followed the 2013 elections between then President Uhuru Kenyatta and current President William Ruto.
He said he had expected a healing process “akin to the one of South Africa” that would genuinely reconcile communities affected by violence. “They came together at the top,” he added, suggesting the focus was more on elite interests than on grassroots reconciliation.
The Former MP warned that unresolved issues such as land disputes, displacement, and lingering grievances continue to create openings for politicians to “ignite that suspicion” whenever it suits them.
Kirwa also criticized leaders for mobilizing voters along ethnic lines, pointing out that communities are praised when they support a candidate but vilified when they shift allegiance.
Referencing past flashpoints, including the Kiambaa church attack and the 1992 majimbo debate in the Rift Valley, Kirwa cautioned against repeating divisive narratives for political gain.
“These are some of the issues that any person who takes the leadership of this country in future must look for ways of proper healing so that Kenyans look at each other as brothers and sisters,” he said.
On reports that Ethiopia’s Prime Minister may be trying to bring Kenyatta and Ruto together, Kirwa welcomed the move as “very positive,” but expressed doubt that it would significantly change the political landscape. “As to whether it will translate into tangible votes in favor of Ruto, I think the train has left the station,” he said.
